Data Scholars Program#
Overview#
The Data Science Undergraduate Studies and D-Lab co-developed the Data Scholars Program to respond to data science education inequity. The program exists to address under-representation issues in the data science community. Through the seminar series, it establishes a welcoming, educational, and empowering group for marginalized communities and nontraditional students. This program was launched in Fall 2016, and it is especially suited for students who bring diverse and positive contributions to data science. The program offers specialized tutoring, advising, and workshops in a sequence of three 1-unit seminar courses. Students apply to join the first seminar, Data Scholars Foundations, concurrent with the semester they enroll in the Foundations of Data Science Course and may participate in the Data Scholars Pathways seminar and Data Scholars Discovery seminar in subsequent semesters.
Target Audience#
Underrepresented and nontraditional students are the intended Data Scholar program participants. The goal is to develop a strong community and data science support for students who might not otherwise have it. This space offers students a sense of belonging and being a part of transformative learning while navigating challenges in courses and deciding about a possible future in data science.
Goals#
The Data Scholars program benefits students in three essential areas:
Support: Skill-building workshops, tutoring, and homework help are available for students to gain additional peer-to-peer collaboration and instructor assistance.
Community: Throughout the seminars, students participate in social events and talks that emphasize diversity in data sciences. For example, a data scientist or researcher may come to the Pathways Seminar and present their work to the small group with an open question-and-answer section so that students can actively participate.
Mentorship: Graduate students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and alumni from Cal mentor students. The program has a robust underlying network of professionals that students can be referred to by their instructor for specific questions and connections.
Key Pedagogical or Curricular Strategies#
The program consists of three seminars:
Data 8 Section and Foundations Seminar
Students enrolling in Data 8 can apply to join Data Scholars. Students will enroll in a Data Scholars-only lab section for Data 8, and join a specialized 1-unit Foundations seminar. Students will also have access to special office hours and mentorship for academic support.
Data Science Pathways Seminar
For students who have already completed Data 8 and the Foundations seminar, the Pathways seminar supports long-term discovery experiences and career orientation. Pathways will feature guest speakers from research and industry, and special workshops for career and professional development, portfolio-building, and goal-setting.
This seminar will meet for 90 minutes once a week.
Data Science Discovery Seminar
For students who have completed the Pathways seminar and have two or more semesters of data science coursework completed, the Discovery Seminar provides special workshops. The [Data Science Discovery Research program]{.underline} offers instruction on science tools, facilitates student matching onto some of the ongoing research projects, and offers research mentorship by experienced grad students and staff.
Key Diversity and Inclusion Practices and Strategies:#
Foundational Data Science coursework challenges students. Data Scholars provides extra support for Underrepresented students for this coursework. The assistance provided in the Foundations Seminar allows students to easily ask questions and receive answers from peers and their instructor. The increased support allows for a greater likelihood of success in data science courses. Students can join smaller group discussions about assumptions regarding perceptions of success, meeting faculty, people in the private sector, and networking. The following two seminars offer an introduction to data science careers and research.
Links to Key Documents#
Data Scholars Website
Data Scholars Facilitator Job Description
Program Description#
The Data Science Undergraduate Studies offers community to underrepresented students and nontraditional students in data science at Cal with the Data Scholars program. The program consists of an application process, a Foundations Seminar to help with the Foundations of Data Science course, a Pathways Seminar that exposes students to avenues within data science, and the Data Scholars Discovery Projects seminar supporting their collaborative work. The program provides students with a welcoming and growth-mindset network of peers, mentors, and community organizations.
Best Practices for Variation Across Institutions#
Developing and supporting one or more staff roles focused on the Data Scholars program helps with the ongoing work necessary to keep a Data Scholars program thriving. With minimal support staff, the program becomes restricted in specific ways, and its success can be limited.