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What we believe
The community of biologists in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois is committed to understanding life at the organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. Our fundamental understanding of the natural world directly impacts human health, the health of the environment, and our broader culture and society. Thus, innovation, drive, and excellence are critical to our mission.
Our entire community firmly believes that scientific discovery and advances in the life sciences can be made by anyone, and that diversity within our school drives the innovation that keeps MCB research at the forefront of scientific discovery. However, we recognize that societal, academic, and structural barriers have often kept talented individuals out of our community.
We are committed to eliminating these barriers and supporting students and scientists of all backgrounds, both to push our science to new heights and to fulfill our mission as an educational institution. We condemn racism and sexual harassment, which have long held back both individuals and science as a whole. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, national origin, religion, neurological differences, or socioeconomic status.
We welcome and strive to support all students as they think deeply about the molecular basis of life, work hard to understand basic biology, and share their scholarship with others.
School of MCB Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
About the committee
The mission of the MCB Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is to ensure that the diversity of our community within the School of MCB reflects the diversity of our global community, and that the school fosters respect, inclusion, and support for all members of the MCB community so that each may achieve educational and career success. The committee is tasked to create an environment where all MCB members feel that they are valued, that they are respected, and that they belong.
To this end, the committee seeks to gauge the MCB climate and develop policy and actions to address identified shortcomings and areas of priority. The committee will provide leadership in introducing evidence-based methods and trainings that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for MCB members at all career stages. Furthermore, the committee will keep the school informed on best practices and resources regarding admissions, pedagogy, mentoring, hiring, and promotion.
Campus resources
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Student Success, Inclusion & Belonging (including Jeffries Center for Access and Academic Success, First-gen students, cultural houses, and more.)
Office of the Dean of Students (including Emergency Dean, Community of Care, and more.)
Graduate College Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Land acknowledgement
As a land-grant institution, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, have a responsibility to acknowledge the historical context in which it exists. In order to remind ourselves and our community, we begin events with the following statement.
We are currently on the lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw Nations. It is necessary for us to acknowledge these Native Nations and for us to work with them as we move forward as an institution. Over the next 150 years, we will be a vibrant community inclusive of all our differences, with Native peoples at the core of our efforts.
For more information on how to include the land acknowledgement into materials or meetings, please visit: https://chancellor.illinois.edu/land_acknowledgement.html