Participation Beyond MONET represents a transformative vision: extending our Center's reach and influence beyond traditional boundaries to create meaningful pathways for participation in the chemical sciences. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, we're building bridges between institutions, fostering mentorship networks, and creating spaces where scientists from all backgrounds can bring their authentic selves to their work.
At the heart of this initiative are the stories of connection and community. When Directors of Broader Impacts from multiple NSF-funded Centers gathered at NDiSTEM conferences in Phoenix and Columbus, they weren't just sharing booth space—they were modeling a new approach to scientific collaboration. These cross-center partnerships, bringing together MONET with the Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry and the Center for the Mechanical Control of Chemistry, demonstrated how institutions can amplify their collective impact by working together to engage diverse STEM talent.
The symposium "Transforming STEM Through Broader Impacts" at NDiSTEM 2025 took this vision even further. With over 75 attendees, the session became a catalyst for change, exploring how cultural relevance and authentic mentorship can reshape the landscape of scientific education. The conversation continued beyond the conference room through the Science with Impact Podcast, extending these critical discussions to a wider audience and creating lasting resources for the community.
Our partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities exemplify the power of bidirectional collaboration. Dr. Juana Mendenhall's leadership at both the SERMACS symposium and HBCU Engage highlighted how genuine partnerships—built on mutual respect and shared goals—can transform research environments and create opportunities for innovation. Dr. Mendenhall was even featured on the Science with Impact Podcast:
These aren't one-way relationships; they're dynamic exchanges where each institution brings unique strengths to advance chemistry education and research.
The Polymer Women Empowerment & Research (PoWER) initiative brought together over 100 participants for technical workshops and mentorship sessions at Northwestern University. MONET senior investigators Julia Kalow and Monica Olvera de la Cruz led technical talks while MONET trainees served as workshop leaders, creating a supportive community for early-career researchers. This intergenerational mentorship model demonstrates how empowering women and gender minorities in polymer science creates ripple effects throughout the field.
When Dr. Vanessa Rosa spoke at the ACS Women in the Chemical Enterprise Networking Breakfast in San Diego, she joined hundreds of women chemists in building professional connections that transcend individual institutions. These moments of connection—whether at a breakfast networking event or a university symposium—form the foundation for sustained participation in chemical sciences.
What makes BP Beyond MONET distinctive is its emphasis on authenticity and cultural relevance. We've learned that effective outreach isn't about imposing structures from above; it's about creating spaces where people can integrate their identities, cultures, and passions into their scientific work. It's about student-led collaborations, community-based STEM education, and research that responds to real community needs. It's about recognizing that the path to scientific excellence runs through many doorways, and our job is to ensure those doorways are open and welcoming.
Through these initiatives, BP Beyond MONET is building a network of STEM leaders committed to excellence through expanded participation. We're creating best practices for cultural integration in STEM, establishing platforms for leadership development, and fostering collaborative approaches that benefit the entire scientific community. Most importantly, we're demonstrating that when we invest in people—through mentorship, authentic partnerships, and culturally relevant programming—we strengthen the foundation of scientific innovation itself.