The Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth System Science (MS PHD’S) professional development program was founded in 2003 upon a vision that underrepresented minority (URM) populations can and should play a role in facilitating a network to attract, retain, and increase the number of URMs in the Earth System Science (ESS) workforce. The pilot MS PHD’S program focused on effective mentoring and professional development administered by and for minorities. These activities are designed to:

• Increase exposure to and engagement in the ESS community via participation in scientific conferences, mentoring relationships, virtual activities, and field trips
• Enhance professional skills, grantsmanship, oral and written communication
• Provide resources regarding future funding, education, and career opportunities
• Facilitate networking opportunities with established researchers and educators
• Sustain ongoing interaction, communication, and support via membership within a virtual community composed of peers, junior/senior-level researchers, and educators actively involved in facilitating full participation of minorities in ESS

Ricciardi, L., V. Williamson Whitney, and A. Johnson. 2016. MS PHD’S: By and for minorities. Oceanography 29(1):58–59, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2016.13.

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