SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

INITIATIVES REPORT

FISCAL YEAR 2014

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview 4 

Executive Summary 5 

Regents 12

Office of the Inspector General 12

Secretary 12

Office of Communications and External Affairs 12

Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 12

Office of Government Relations 14

Office of Public Affairs 14

Office of Visitor Services 15

Assistant Secretary for Education and Access 15

Smithsonian Affiliates 15

Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access 16

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibitions 16

Smithsonian Science Education Center 22 

The Smithsonian Associates 28 

Under Secretary for Finance and Administration 39

Accessibility Program 39

Office of the Chief Information Officer 42

Office of Facilities, Engineering and Operations 43

Office of Human Resources 45

Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture 51

Archives of American Art 51

Asian Pacific American Center 53

Freer/Sackler Galleries of Art 55

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 56

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 2
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture (cont.)

National Museum of American History 57

Smithsonian American Art Museum 57

Smithsonian Latino Center 64

Under Secretary for Science 79

Museum Conservation Institute 79

National Air and Space Museum 81

National Museum of Natural History 83

National Zoological Park 97

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center 104

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute 104

Deputy Under Secretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support 105

Office of Fellowships and Internships 105

Smithsonian Institution Libraries 112

Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press 115

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 3
As part of the Smithsonian Strategic Plan and Organizational Goals, diversity and inclusion are integral to Smithsonian Institution 

operations. In an effort to capture and report on the multiplicity of related activities around the Institution, OEEMA has published the 

following Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report (DIIR). It serves as a clearinghouse for information on activities that include, but are not 

limited to: 

- Conferences with professional organizations or colleges and universities

- Career fairs

- Memorandums of understanding (both formal and informal)

- Career counseling via webcasts and video conferences

- Digital access and promotion of Smithsonian academic appointments and job opportunities

- Virtual programming and internships

As follows are diversity and inclusion initiatives engaged in by units across the Smithsonian and encompassing contributions from the 

Regents, Secretary, each Under Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary throughout FY 2014. For quick access to your 

unit’s information, please see the table of contents. 

OVERVIEW

Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 4
21%

16%

24%

12%

12%

11%

1% 3%

Percentage of Underrepresented Groups

African Americans (222)

Asian Americans (174)

Hispanics (254)

Individuals w/Disabilities (132)

Native Americans (141)

Native Hawaiians (105)

Others* (12)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communties ** (25)

Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ALL SMITHSONIAN

Over 400 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 31 Smithsonian Units. All historically underrepresented groups were represented, with Hispanics having the highest percentage 

(24%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion initiative categories were represented; with program diversity being the largest

category (66%). The percentage of diversity initiatives aimed at historically underrepresented groups greatly exceeded these groups representation in the Civilian Labor Force. While residents of 

under-resourced communities and others have no recognized percentage of reference, these communities are an important focus in the Smithsonian’s efforts to increase and diffuse knowledge 

across the United States and around the world.

* International Program for Americans & 

Non-Americans, Urban Youth and Women

** Communities with limited and/or underfunded access to educational resources and 

technology.

66% 32%

2%

Initiatives by Category

Program

Diversity (322)

Workforce

Diversity (129)

Supplier

Diversity (7)

Reg Sec ASEA USFA USHAC USS DUSCIS

# of Initiatves 2 15 106 32 100 94 58

# Units 1 5 5 4 7 6 3

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Initiatives by Direct Report

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 5
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Over 10 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 6 units reporting to the Secretary. All historically underrepresented groups were represented, with African Americans, Asian 

Americans, Hispanics, Individuals with Disabilities, and Native Americans having the highest percentage (17%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. All three 

diversity and inclusion categories were represented, with workforce diversity being the largest category (53%). 

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

OCEA OEEMA OGR OPA OVS OS

# of Initiatives 1 10 1 1 1 1

Initiatives by Unit

17%

17%

17% 17%

17%

15%

0%

0%

Percentage of Underrepresented Groups

African Americans (10)

Asian Americans (10)

Hispanics (10)

Individuals w/Disabilities

(10)

Native Americans (10)

Native Hawaiians (9)

Others (0)

Residents of UnderResourced Communties (0)

31%

53%

16%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity

(6)

Workforce

Diversity (10)

Supplier Diversity

(3)

OFFICE OF THE REGENTS

The Office of the Inspector General submitted two diversity and inclusion initiatives. They ensured that the OIG policy manual includes a chapter that affirms the Smithsonian’s policies on EEO, 

diversity and the prevention of workplace harassment. Additionally, they recruited through a network of organizations that target underrepresented groups. These initiatives included all 

historically underrepresented groups and focused on improving the Smithsonian’s workforce diversity.

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 6
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION & ACCESS

Over 100 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 5 ASEA Units. All historically underrepresented groups were represented, with African Americans having the highest percentage 

(28%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. Program and workforce diversity categories were represented, with program diversity being the largest category 

(94%). 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

SA SCLDA SITES SSEC TSA

# of Initiatives 3 1 34 26 41

Initiatives by Unit

94%

6%

0%

Initiatives by Category 

Program Diversity

(103)

Workforce Diversity

(7)

Supplier Diversity (0)

28%

14%

25%

6%

9%

8%

3%

7%

Percentage of Underrepresented Groups 

African Americans (78)

Asian Americans (41)

Hispanics (64)

Individuals w/Disabilities (21)

Native Americans (31)

Native Hawaiians (25)

Others* (10)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communties** (20)

* Urban Youth and Women

** Communities with limited and/or underfunded access to educational resources and 

technology.

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 7
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNDER SECRETARY FOR FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Over 30 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 4 OUSFA Units. All historically underrepresented groups were represented, with African Americans and Hispanics having the highest 

percentage (17%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were represented, with workforce diversity being the largest 

category (79%). 

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

AP OFEO OHR OCIO

# of Initiatives 6 8 17 1

Initiatives by Unit

17%

16%

15% 17%

15%

15%

0% 5%

Percentage of Underrepresented Groups

African Americans (26)

Asian Americans (25)

Hispanics (27)

Individuals w/Disabilities (24)

Native Americans (23)

Native Hawaiians (23)

Others (0)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communties** (7)

18%

79%

3%

Initiatives by Category 

Program Diversity (6)

Workforce Diversity

(26)

Supplier Diversity (1)

** Communities with limited and/or 

under-funded access to educational 

resources and technology. 

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs

8
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 UNDER SECRETARY FOR HISTORY, ART & CULTURE

Over 100 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 8 USHAC Units. All historically underrepresented groups were represented, with Hispanics having the highest percentage (38%) of 

initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. Program and workforce diversity were represented, with program diversity being the largest category (80%). 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

AAA APAC FSG HMSG NMAH SAAM SLC HAC

# of Initiatives 7 7 2 4 1 36 42 1

Initiatives by Unit

80%

20%

0%

Initiatives by Category

Program

Diversity (43)

Workforce

Diversity (11)

Supplier

Diversity (0)

18%

18%

38%

11%

10% 5%

0% 0%

Percentage of Underrepresented Groups

African Americans (34)

Asian Americans (35)

Hispanics (72)

Individuals w/Disabilities

(21)

Native Americans (19)

Native Hawaiians (10)

Others (0)

Residents of UnderResourced Communties (0)

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 9
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE

Over 90 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 6USS Units. All historically underrepresented groups were represented, with African Americans and Hispanics having the highest 

percentage (21%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were represented, with program diversity being the largest 

category (92%). 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

MCI NASM NMNH NZP SERC STRI

# of Initiatives 5 9 54 23 1 2

Initiatives by Unit

21%

18%

21%

13%

18%

8%

1% 0%

Percentage of Underrepresented Groups

African Americans (46)

Asian Americans (39)

Hispanics (47)

Individuals w/Disabilities (29)

Native Americans (41)

Native Hawaiians (17)

Others* (2)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communties (0)

92%

7%

1%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity

(89)

Workforce

Diversity (7)

Supplier Diversity

(1)

* International Program for Americans and 

Non-Americans

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 10
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR COLLECTIONS & INTERDISCIPLINARY SUPPORT

Over 50 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 3 DUSCIS Units. All historically underrepresented groups were represented, with Hispanics having the highest percentage (20%) of 

initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were represented, with workforce diversity being the largest category (62%). 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

OFI SIL SISP

# of Initiatives 44 12 2

Initiatives by Unit 

19%

16%

20%

16%

16%

13%

0%

0%

Percentage of Underrepresented Groups

African Americans (36)

Asian Americans (31)

Hispanics (38)

Individuals w/Disabilities (32)

Native Americans (31)

Native Hawaiians (25)

Others (0)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communties (0)

37%

62%

1%

Initiatives by Category 

Program Diversity

(27)

Workforce Diversity

(45)

Supplier Diversity (1)

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 11
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

Regents OIG Recruiting Outreach 

Recruited through a network of organizations that targets underrepresented groups.

7/7/2014 - 

8/4/2014 Completed African Americans Digital Promotion of Job Opportunities

Workforce 

Diversity

Regents OIG

OIG Policy on Diversity 

and Prevention of 

Workplace Harassment

The OIG policy manual includes a chapter that affirms the 

Smithsonian’s policy on diversity and equal employment 

opportunity, as well as its policy on prevention of workplace 

harassment.

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Policy Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OCEA Video Interns

OCEA provided two video interns the opportunity to create a 

portfolio of defining pieces and influence Smithsonian’s video 

standards and future media processes by producing a variety of 

videos. The internship involved hands-on learning and one-onone interactions with OCEA staff and content creators all over the 

Smithsonian, from the art museums to the Zoo.

October 2014 - 

September 2014 Completed African Americans Internship Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA HACU Conference

OEEMA and OHR collaborated with the Latino Center, NMAH and 

OFI to participate at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and 

Universities (HACU) Annual Conference in October 2013. SI Staff 

engaged with hundreds of students, faculty, college administers 

and community leaders from Hispanic Serving Institutions and 

other organizations. Smithsonian staff delivered a panel 

presentation and workshop that provided information and 

resources about the broad range of internships, fellowships and 

career opportunities at the Smithsonian.

October 2013 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA SDP Outreach

The Associate Director of the Smithsonian's Supplier Diversity 

Program attended over 20 procurement and business 

conferences during FY 14. These outreach events provided 

opportunities to engage small and minority-owned businesses in 

matchmaking discussions and provide advice and assistance on 

how to do business with the Smithsonian.

October 2013 - 

September 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Procurement/Busines

s Fairs

Supplier 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 12
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

Secretary OEEMA

8(a) Partnership 

Agreement and IDIQ 

Task Order Waiver

OEEMA finalized the Smithsonian's 8(a) Partnership Agreement 

with the Small Business Administration, which provides the 

Smithsonian with a waiver to compete requirements below the 

competitive threshold. The Smithsonian was also granted an 

IDIQ Task Order Waiver, which will allow the Smithsonian to 

continue using 8(a) firms to fulfill Indefinite Delivery Indefinite 

Quantity (IDIQ) task orders by allowing competition among 

already established technically acceptable firms at the task order 

level in an effort to help determine price reasonableness only. 

This waiver will only apply to the issuance of competitive task 

orders, not the issuance of IDIQ award.

03/14/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Partnership 

Agreement

Supplier 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA FAPAC Conference

OEEMA attended the Federal Asian Pacific American Council's 

2014 National Conference which provided workshops in Strategic 

Leadership; Communication; Science & Technology for 

Tomorrow; Supervisory/Management Essentials; and EEO and 

Diversity. This outreach event provided OEEMA opportunities to 

network and benchmark with other EEO professionals regarding 

EEO, diversity and inclusion best practices.

May 5 - 9, 2014 Completed

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Individuals with Disabilities

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

NSF - Committee on 

Equal Opportunities in 

Science and 

Engineering

OEEMA represented the Smithsonian at NSF's Committee on 

Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (CEOSE) and 

presented information regarding SI’s STEM related educational 

programs and initiatives to the committee. This presentation was 

met with high praise and the Institution was commended by NSF 

for its efforts to further STEM education to underrepresented 

groups.

June 20, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Meeting

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

 National Council of 

Hispanic Program 

Managers 

OEEMA participated in the National Council of Hispanic Program 

Managers meeting. Discussion focused on Government-wide 

efforts to increase the participation of Hispanics in the workforce. 

02/19/2014 Completed Hispanics Meeting Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 13
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

Secretary OEEMA Smithsonian Career 

Center Conference

OEEMA participated in Smithsonian Career Center Conference at 

NMAH. Conferences provided an opportunity for SI staff to 

network with and engage prospective interns, fellows and 

employees. Representatives from college career centers were 

also present. 

12/4/2013 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA American Historical 

Association Career Fair 

Attended the American Historical Association Career Fair with 

NMAH, OHR and other SI units. SI representatives spoke with 

students and job candidates about the path to becoming an SI 

employee, intern or fellow.

01/04/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA Project Search

OEEMA participated in the Project Search's inaugural year at 

Smithsonian. OEEMA's Affirmative Employment Program 

Manager served on the Steering Committee, and the Office 

hosted a Project Search Intern during the 1st rotation. The 

Supplier Diversity Program Associate Director served as one of 

the supervisors for the Project Search Intern; who helped the SDP 

program by updating the SDP Card Scan Contact Initiative with 

over 2,000 new contacts.

October 2013 - 

December 2013 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Project Search Internship

Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Federal Interagency 

Diversity Partnership 

Annual Training Day

OEEMA participated in the Federal Interagency Diversity 

Partnership (FIDP) Annual Training Day in November of 2013.

This training day included numerous workshops to strengthen 

practitioner skills that seek to enhance diversity and inclusion in 

Federal workplaces. Workshop included sessions on the 

importance of fostering an inclusive culture to include individuals 

with disabilities.

11/13/2013 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Training/Workshop

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

Secretary OGR Congressional Night at 

NMAI

OGR hosted a cultural awareness night at NMAI for Congressional 

members, their staff and family. Guest were introduced to 

the Smithsonian's Native American programs through a tour of 

the museum, educational presentations and performances by 

local Native American artist.

June 25, 2014 Completed Native Americans Cultural Awareness Program 

Diversity

Secretary OPA Supplier Diversity

OPA retained services from six new small women owned 

business. Services included public relations, graphic design, 

videography, training and photography

October 2013 - 

September 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Small Women Owned 

Businesses

Supplier 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 14
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

Secretary OVS Volunteer Workforce 

Diversity

Through active recruiting, OVS increased diversity amongst 

volunteers by 10% in comparison to FY2013. Ethnicities by 

Category: Black 1% increase; Asian 5% increase and Native 

American 4% increase.

October 2013 - 

September 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Americans

Online Recruiting Workforce 

Diversity

ASEA SA Advisory Council

The Affiliations Advisory Council is another way that SA is 

advancing diversity and inclusion at the Smithsonian; of the 14 

members on the Advisory Council, eight are women (2 African

Americans, 1 Latino, 1 Asian American Pacific and 1 

Filipino/Mexican) and six are men (1 African American, 1 Asian 

American/Pacific Islander and 1 Arab American)

January - December, 

2014 Ongoing

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

ASEA SA Affiliations 

Collaborations 

SA worked closely with OEEMA to develop and distribute 

postcards (approximately 10,000 total) to 185 

Affiliate organizations. These postcards informed students and 

young adults about of employment opportunities at the 

Smithsonian. SA staff organized three museum studies 

workshops at the Universidad del Turabo to provide training for 

staff working in Puerto Rican museums; approximately 50 

individuals attended each session.

January, 2013 - 

April, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Outreach 

Conferences

Programs to Students

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

ASEA SA Affiliations 

Collaborations 

Young Historians, Living Histories Project (YHLH) is a program 

that seeks to engage underserved young people in Asian Pacific 

American communities to expand their understanding and 

appreciation of their own history and community. Led by APAC 

and SA, 155 youth participants from nine 

Smithsonian affiliate museums and two outside organizations 

participated in the YHLH Program. Their footprint covers nine 

different states and the District of Columbia. The YHLH program 

aims to achieve three primary goals: Increase the knowledge and 

appreciation of youth from underserved communities on Asian 

Pacific American History and culture, facilitate acquisitions of 

technology and social media skills by youth participants and 

establish an informal educational network to provide support and 

resources for educators/facilitators of workshops on Asian Pacific 

American History and culture.

January, 2013 - 

April, 2014 Completed Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Outreach 

Conferences

Programs to Students

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 15
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SCLDA All Access Digital Arts 

Program

The All Access Digital Arts Program provides skill-building 

opportunities in digital arts and communications, problem 

solving, and social inclusion to a spectrum of teen learners in 

Metropolitan Washington, DC. The premise is that technology 

can provide youth with disabilities a sense of social inclusion and 

independence, and build transition soft skills. In this program, 

youth are equipped with tools to engage in appropriate social 

interactions online and in-person, as well as develop friendships 

with students across the Washington metro area with similar 

interests in museums. Through once-per-month club outreach 

activities and a 2-week summer camp, students are exposed to 

communication, collaborative learning, research, and problem 

solving. 

Once per month & 

1st two weeks in 

August

In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

In-person skill 

development 

program

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SCLDA All Access Digital Arts 

Workshop

Week-long summer workshop for teens with cognitive and 

intellectual disabilities focusing on museums, photography, 

digital music-making and peer networking.

8/11/2014-

8/15/2014

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced Communities Urban Youth In-person workshop Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

American Heroes: 

Japanese American 

WWII Nisei Soldiers 

and the Congressional 

Gold Medal

Despite forced internment and rampant wartime prejudice, 

second-generation Japanese Americans who volunteered to serve 

in the U.S. Army during World War II had their heroism 

recognized 65 years later with this Congressional Gold Medal 

circulated by SITES to 7 cities across the U.S. 

1/12/2013 - 

1/26/2014 Completed Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

American Sabor: 

Latinos in U.S. Popular 

Music

Salsa, mambo, rumba, cha-cha-cha are distinctive musical styles 

that continue to resonate across America's cultural scene are 

explored in a bi-lingual traveling exhibition visiting 11 cities across 

the U.S. 

5/26/2011 - 

2/8/2015 In-progress Hispanics Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

American Sabor: 

Latinos in U.S. Popular 

Music

Distinctive musical styles that continue to resonate across 

America's cultural scene are explored in complementary 

curriculum materials also widely promoted by Teaching 

Tolerance. 

5/26/2011 - 

2/8/2015 In-progress Hispanics Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Bittersweet Harvest: 

The Bracero Program 

1942 - 1964

The little-known story of the Bracero Program, the largest guest 

worker program in U.S. history. Between 1942 and 1964, millions 

of Mexican men came to the U.S. on short-term labor contracts. 

Bi-lingual traveling exhibit to 37 venues through 2015. 

2/20/2010 - 

11/15/2015 In-progress Hispanics Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 16
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SITES

Bittersweet Harvest: 

The Bracero Program 

1942 - 1964

Award-winning bi-lingual posters from SITES convey the littleknown story of the Bracero Program, the largest guest worker 

program in U.S. history. Between 1942 and 1964, millions of 

Mexican men came to the U.S. on short-term labor contracts. 

Distributed at no cost to schools, migrant education centers, 

museums, and small libraries. 

Fall 2012 - Present In-progress Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced Communities Poster Exhibit Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Black Wings: American 

Dreams of Flight

A steady stream of African American pioneers—daredevils and 

visionaries—surpassed racial barriers to claim a legitimate place 

in the realm of aviation. Their achievements—together with the 

necessities of war and the dawning of civil rights in 

America—opened up new possibilities for succeeding generations 

of pilots and astronauts. SITES exhibit will visit 15 venues across 

the U.S. 

7/2/2011 - 

1/17/2016 In-progress African Americans Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Hometown Teams: 

How Sports Shape 

America

Sports are an indelible part of our culture and community. 

Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America shows how sports 

reflect the trials and triumphs of the American experience and 

help mold our national character. Host communities utilize SITES' 

tools, resources, and professional training to develop 

complementary exhibits that highlight their own local histories 

and stories. 

March 2014 - April 

2020 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

I Want the Wide 

American Earth: An 

Asian Pacific American 

Story

A celebration of Asian Pacific American history across this 

multitude of incredibly diverse cultures, and exploration of how 

Asian Pacific Americans have shaped and been shaped by the 

course of our nation’s history. Two copies of the exhibition will 

visit 26 cities. 

5/1/2013 - 

8/27/2017 In-progress

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

I Want the Wide 

American Earth: An 

Asian Pacific American 

Story

An award-winning educational poster set provides teachers with 

fresh resources for celebrating Asian Pacific American history 

across this multitude of incredibly diverse cultures, and ways to 

explore how Asian Pacific Americans have shaped and been 

shaped by the course of our nation’s history. Produced by SITES, 

distributed at no cost to schools, museums, and small libraries. 

Spring 2013 - 

Present In-progress

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Poster Exhibit Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

IndiVisible: AfricanNative American Lives 

in the Americas

Traveling exhibition developed with NMAI explores historical and 

contemporary stories of peoples and communities whose shared 

histories are woven into the fabric of American identity but 

whose presence has long been invisible to many in the U.S. 

11/10/2009 - 

3/27/2016 In-progress

African Americans

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 17
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SITES Journey Stories

Americans on the move, whether for work or pleasure, illustrate a 

key chapter in the nation's story. A Museum on Main Street 

exhibition, Journey Stories encourages host communities to 

collect and share stories, including those from immigrants new 

and old. 

May 2009 - October 

2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Key Ingredients: 

America by Food

A look at the history and culture that shape our dining habits and 

taste preferences -- from immigrant experiences to innovations 

of food preparation technology to availability of key ingredients. 

A Museum on Main Street project that provides host 

communities tools, training, and guidelines for local 

programming and outreach. 

May 2003 - March 

2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Native Words, Native 

Warriors

This exhibition presented the remarkable story of American 

Indian soldiers from more than 12 tribes who used their Native 

languages in the service of the U.S. military. 

10/28/2006 - 

10/5/2014 Completed Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Ramp It Up! 

Skateboard Culture in 

Native America

Boards, designs, videos, and cultural history trace skate 

boarding's strong and fascinating ties to Native American life 

through a SITES exhibition organized with NMAI, traveling to 12 

cities. 

4/26/2012 - 

7/12/2015 In-progress Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Romare Bearden: A 

Black Odyssey

For the first time outside New York, SITES presents Bearden's 

fresh interpretation of Homer's Odyssey. 50 of his original 

collages, watercolors, and drawings are touring to 7 cities. 

10/13/2012 - 

3/31/2015 In-progress African Americans Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Romare Bearden: 

Remix Collages

With this lively, colorful, and highly engaging iPad app, you can 

remix COLLAGES from Bearden's original series to create your 

own unique works of art, and express your personal journey. 

Choose from a variety of Bearden’s backdrops and layer in shapes 

and forms from other collages. Or cut your own shapes, add 

personal photos, change the colors of various elements and 

resize them. You can also add written words and descriptions. 

Fall 2012 - Ongoing In-progress African Americans

Residents of Under-resourced Communities Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 18
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SITES Romare Bearden Remix

A downloadable, conversational audio tour with 20 stops that 

gives listeners new intellectual routes into the works of Romare 

Bearden and into the bewitching heart of Homer’s “The 

Odyssey.” Voices on the tour include Dr. Robert O’Meally, 

exhibition curator and Zora Neale Hurston Professor of English 

and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. He is joined 

by Diedra Harris-Kelley, Bearden’s niece and the co-director of 

the Romare Bearden Foundation. Artist, writer and musician, 

Paul Miller, aka DJ Spooky, provides additional perspective, 

contributing his own thoughts about Bearden’s genius. 

Fall 2012 - Ongoing In-progress African Americans

Residents of Under-resourced Communities Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES The Way We Worked

A fresh approach to how and why Americans work -- whether in 

offices, factories, farms, schools, homes, on the road, rails, or sky, 

in the military -- through photographs and first-hand stories. A 

Museum on Main Street project that provides rural communities 

with tools and training to utilize local resources for 

complementary programming and outreach. 

September 2011 - 

November 2018 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES William H. Johnson: An 

American Modern

Never before toured, this collection from Morgan State Univ. of 

20 portraits, landscapes, and still life paintings covers key stages 

in the artist's career as a pivotal figure in modern art. 

9/10/2011 - 

7/6/2014 Completed African Americans Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Choosing to Participate

Graphically compelling, award-winning poster exhibit, created 

primarily for middle and high schools, is designed to encourage 

dialogue, engagement, respect, and participation in our 

communities. Many schools use it for anti-bullying programs. 

Distributed at no cost to schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, libraries, 

community centers.

Fall 2010 - Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women Poster exhibit Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Roots of Wisdom: 

Native Knowledge, 

Shared Science

A new exhibition developed with the Oregon Museum of Science 

& Industry designed to engage families and students in the 

concept that western science and Native American traditional 

knowledge about the environment are both valuable and 

complementary for understanding the natural world.

Begins Fall 2015 Planned Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 19
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SITES Animal Connections: 

Our Journey Together

Mobile exhibit on an 18-wheeler introduces children and their 

families to careers in veterinary medicine and related animal 

science fields, with a program focus on STEM education. 

Summer 2013 - 

Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES One Nation with News 

for All

Preliminary investigation for a proposed traveling exhibition 

based on the Newseum's project of the same name that tells the 

dramatic story of how immigrants and minorities used the power 

of the press to fight for their rights and shape the American 

experience. 

TBD Planned

Hispanics

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Beyond Bollywood: 

Indian Americans 

Shape the Nation

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific 

American Center, a new exhibition explores the Indian American 

experience and the community's vital political, professional, and 

cultural contributions to American life and history. 

Opens May 2015 Planned Asian Americans Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Beginning and 

Advanced Exhibition 

Development

SITES project director led two full-day seminars for the Tribal 

Archives Libraries and Museums Project run by the Univ. of 

Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies - 

Continuing Education Services. This is part of the Great Lakes 

Convening Culture Keepers conference geared to networking and 

professional development opportunities for American Indian 

communities of the Upper Great Lakes. 

4/14/2014 - 

4/17/2014 Completed Native Americans

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Women, Art, and Social 

Change: The Newcomb 

Pottery Enterprise

One of the most significant American art potteries of the 

twentieth century, Newcomb works are a graceful union of form 

and decoration inspired by the flora and fauna of the Gulf South. 

The Pottery was established to teach Southern women selfreliance by way of an education and gain financial independence 

through the sale of their wares. The exhibition will visit 9 

museums across the U.S. and in Canada. 

10/3/2013 - 

10/23/2016 In-Progress Others Women Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Water: Resource for 

Life

A humanities-based examination of water and what it means to 

communities across the nation. Conceived as the next Museum 

on Main Street project, with resources and tools for rural and 

under-resourced communities to collect and share stories and to 

create their unique complementary exhibits. 

Opens Spring 2016 Planned Residents of Under-resourced Communities Traveling Exhibition Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 20
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SITES Stories from Main 

Street

A digital initiative to collect and share stories from small-town 

and rural America. Developed by the Museum on Main Street 

program to encourage capacity-building at the local level and to 

provide resources for community outreach. 

Fall 2011 - Ongoing In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced Communities Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES

Museum on Main 

Street capacity-building 

training workshops

The Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is SITES' key 

initiative that directly engages small town audiences and brings 

revitalized attention to underserved rural communities through 

their own Main Street museums, historical societies, and other 

cultural venues. Professional development workshops for host 

venues were held in 16 states in FY14, providing program and 

installation tools and training for hosting a traveling exhibition 

and developing community-based displays and programs. 

Throughout FY14 Completed Residents of Under-resourced Communities Professional training

Workforce 

Diversity;#Progr

am Diversity

ASEA SITES Bilingual exhibit scripts 

and resources

SITES produces bilingual (English/Spanish) educational or 

instructional content for many of its traveling exhibitions that can 

be downloaded at no cost directly from www.sites.si.edu. These 

include:

History & Cultural Exhibitions: American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. 

Popular Music | Family Guide; Beyond Baseball: The Life of 

Roberto Clemente | Exhibition Script; Between Fences | 

Exhibition Script; Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 

1942-1964 | Exhibition Script; The Dancer Within | Exhibition 

Guide; Freedom's Sisters | Exhibition Guide--IndiVisible: AfricanNative American Lives in the Americas | Exhibition Script; Jim 

Henson's Fantastic World | Exhibition Guide; Key Ingredients: 

America by Food | Exhibition Script; Latin Jazz: The Perfect 

Combination | Exhibition Script; New Harmonies: Celebrating 

American Roots Music | Exhibition Script; Our Journeys/Our 

Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement | Exhibition Script

Science & Natural History Exhibitions: Earth from Space Poster 

Set | Exhibition Posters | Exhibition Script and A Magic Web: The 

Tropical Forest of Barro Colorado Island | Exhibition Script

Ongoing In-Progress Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Educational 

Resources

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 21
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SITES

Report from the Field: 

Museum on Main 

Street at Twenty: 

Public History in SmallTown America. Twenty 

Years of Museum on 

Main Street

SITES’ Robbie Davis’ article entitled “Report from the Field: 

Museum on Main Street at Twenty: Public History in Small-Town 

America. Twenty Years of Museum on Main Street,” planned for 

November issue of The Public Historian, a quarterly academic 

journal published by the University of California Press. 

November 2014 In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced Communities Publication Program 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Recruiting

SITES works with OHR’s Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Specialist 

to announce vacancies far beyond USAJOBS to ensure we reach 

diverse communities. SITES also notifies professional 

organizations related to museums and specific professional 

specializations as they apply to open positions. We also announce 

job openings through many common social media outlets and 

listserves 

Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women Digital Promotion of 

Job Opportunities

Workforce 

Diversity

ASEA SITES Congressional Black 

Caucus

SITES staff volunteered at annual CBC events, networking and 

sharing information about SITES' extensive offerings in African 

American art, history, and culture. 

9/24/2014 - 

9/26/2014 Completed African Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

ASEA SITES American Alliance of 

Museums focus groups

SITES staff held focus group sessions at the AAM annual meeting 

to assess interest in upcoming projects, processes, and customerrelated transactions 

5/18/2014 - 

5/21/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Women

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC LASER i3 Regional 

Leaders' Meeting 

On March 14, 2014, thirty-five representatives from New Mexico, 

North Carolina and Houston gathered in Santa Fe, NM for the 

fourth annual LASER i3 Regional Leaders' Meeting (RLM). The 

RLM is an opportunity to convene leaders in each of the i3 

regions to review recent accomplishments and upcoming plans 

for the project as well as address challenges related to sustaining 

the program.

March 14, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Leadership 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

LASER i3 Santa Fe, New 

Mexico Phase 2 

Principals' Meeting 

On June 5, 2014, six Phase 2 principals met with Smithsonian 

Science Education Center (SSEC) staff in Santa Fe, NM. The 

purpose of meeting was to introduce new Phase 2 school 

administrators to the i3 project and answer questions about the 

project and implementation in the 2014-2015 school year.

June 6, 2014 Completed Hispanics Leadership 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 22
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SSEC

LASER i3 Cleveland 

County, North Carolina 

Phase 2 Principals' 

Meeting 

On June 19, 2014, four Phase 2 principals met with Smithsonian 

Science Education Center (SSEC) staff in Shelby, NC. The purpose 

of meeting was to introduce new Phase 2 school administrators 

to the i3 project and answer questions about the project and 

implementation in the 2014-2015 school year.

June 19, 2014 Completed African Americans Leadership 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

LASER i3 Johnston 

County, North Carolina 

Phase 2 Principals' 

Meeting 

On June 26, 2014, nine Phase 2 principals met with Smithsonian 

Science Education Center (SSEC) staff in Benson, NC. The purpose 

of meeting was to introduce new Phase 2 school administrators 

to the i3 project and answer questions about the project and 

implementation in the 2014-2015 school .

June 26, 2014 Completed African Americans Leadership 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

LASER i3 Houston, TX 

Phase 2 Principals' 

Meeting 

On July 17, 2014, five Phase 2 principals met with Smithsonian 

Science Education Center (SSEC) staff at Houston Independent 

School District (HISD). The purpose of meeting was to introduce 

new Phase 2 school administrators to the i3 project and answer 

questions about the project and implementation in the 2014-

2015 school year.

July 17, 2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics

Leadership 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

National Science 

Education Leadership 

Development Forum

Educators, administrators and curriculum developers from the DC 

metro area, Michigan, and Indiana came together on July 26, 

2014 for presentations and activities illustrating argumentation, 

explanation, and modeling techniques for the classroom by 

Leema Berland (University of Wisconsin at Madison) and Kate 

McNeill (Boston College).

July 26, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Professional 

Development for 

Teachers, Museum 

Educators, and 

Administrators

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

LASER i3 Rio Rancho, 

NM Phase 2 Principals' 

Meeting 

On July 31, 2014, four Phase 2 principals met with Smithsonian 

Science Education Center (SSEC) staff in Rio Rancho, NM. The 

purpose of meeting was to introduce new Phase 2 school 

administrators to the i3 project and answer questions about the 

project and implementation in the 2014-2015 school year.

July 31, 2014 Completed Hispanics Leadership 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 23
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SSEC LASER i3 Facilitation 

Academies 

In spring 2014, sixty-four participants from New Mexico, 

Houston, and North Carolina attended the Facilitation Academies 

at WestEd in Oakland, California. WestEd Facilitation Academies 

is a 2.5 day program that trains facilitators to conduct or cofacilitate level II workshops with teachers. Level II workshops 

focus on expanding teacher's science content-knowledge. 

Teachers who attended the academies then served as cofacilitators at the 2014 LASER i3 Summer Professional 

Development and conduct the Condensed Kit Trainings in the 

region. 

February 25-March 

6, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Teacher Professional 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC Houston Strategic 

Planning Institute (i3)

Teachers, administrators, community and business partners 

representing 21 schools came together from January 27-31, 2014 

for an intensive 5-day institute on strategic planning for science 

education reform. Participants took advantage of a range of 

presentations focusing on curriculum, professional development, 

materials support, assessment, and administrative and 

community support. The information they gleaned from these 

sessions they then used to inform their own five-year strategic 

plans. 

January 27-31, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Asian Americans

Strategic Planning 

Conference with 

teachers and 

administrators

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Smithsonian Science 

Education Academies 

for Teachers (SSEATs) 

Energy: Past, Present 

and Future Academy 

In collaboration with other museums and units of the 

Smithsonian, the SSEC works to create and deliver week-long 

professional development for teachers of science, these 

programs, known as the Smithsonian Science Education 

Academies for Teachers. SSEATs were started in 2005 to bridge 

the gap between formal and informal science education by 

combining training in science content and pedagogy with behind 

the scenes experiences at a wide variety of Smithsonian units, 

Smithsonian Affiliate partners, and world-class science research 

facilities throughout the Washington DC area.

July 13-18, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Professional 

Development for 

Teachers

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Level-two LASER i3 

2014 Summer 

Professional 

Development: Houston 

The Level-two LASER i3 Summer Professional Development is for 

all Phase 1 teachers in the i3 schools. In Houston, TX, 180 

teachers attended the workshops. Level-two training focuses on 

adult learning and increases teachers' science content knowledge 

to incorporate while teaching the STC Units in the 2014-2015 

school year.

July 14-16, 2014; 

July 21-23, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Teacher Professional 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 24
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SSEC

Level-one LASER i3 

2014 Summer 

Professional 

Development 

The Level-one LASER i3 Summer Professional Development is for 

all Phase 2 teachers in the i3 schools. In Houston, 

TX, 233 teachers attended the workshops. Level-on training 

shows teachers how to use the STC materials with an emphasis 

on inquiry pedagogy and incorporating literacy.

July 16-18, 2014; 

July 23-25, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Teacher Professional 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

2014 International K12 Science Education 

Institute for Leadership 

Development and 

Strategic Planning

Teachers, administrators, community and business partners 

representing 4 school districts came together from July 27-August 

1, 2014 for an intensive 6-day institute on strategic planning for 

science education reform. Participants took advantage of a range 

of presentations focusing on curriculum, professional 

development, materials support, assessment as well as 

administrative and community support. The information they 

gleaned from these sessions they then used to inform their own 

five-year strategic plans.

July 27-August 1, 

2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Strategic Planning 

Conference with 

teachers and 

administrators

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

 Smithsonian Science 

Education Academies 

for Teachers (SSEATs) 

Earth’s History and 

Global Change Week

In collaboration with other museums and units of the 

Smithsonian, the SSEC works to create and deliver week-long 

professional development for teachers of science, these 

programs, known as the Smithsonian Science Education 

Academies for Teachers. SSEATs were started in 2005 to bridge 

the gap between formal and informal science education by 

combining training in science content and pedagogy with behind 

the scenes experiences at a wide variety of Smithsonian units, 

Smithsonian Affiliate partners and world-class science research 

facilities throughout the Washington DC area.

July 28- August 1, 

2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Professional 

Development for 

Teachers

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Level-two LASER i3 

2014 Summer 

Professional 

Development: North 

Carolina

The Level-two LASER i3 Summer Professional Development is for 

all Phase 1 teachers in the i3 schools. In North Carolina, 224

teachers attended the workshops. Level-two training focuses on 

adult learning and increases teachers' science content knowledge 

to incorporate while teaching the STC Units in the 2014-2015 

school year.

June 16-18, 2014; 

June 23-25, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Teacher Professional 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC NGSS Implementation 

Initiative

Professional development workshop in Johnston County, NC with 

focus on introducing teachers to the Next Generation Science 

Standards and their practices.

June 17-20, 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Professional 

Development for 

Teachers

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 25
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SSEC NM Strategic Planning 

Institute (i3)

Teachers, administrators, community and business partners 

representing 9 school districts came together from June 17-20, 

2014 for an intensive 4-day institute on strategic planning for 

science education reform. Participants took advantage of a range 

of presentations focusing on curriculum, professional 

development, materials support, assessment, and administrative 

and community support. The information they gleaned from 

these sessions they then used to inform their own five-year 

strategic plans.

June 17-20, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Strategic Planning 

Conference with 

teachers and 

administrators

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Level-one LASER i3 

2014 Summer 

Professional 

Development: North 

Carolina

The Level-one LASER i3 Summer Professional Development is for 

all Phase 2 teachers in the i3 schools. In North Carolina, 

247 teachers attended the workshops. Level-on training shows 

teachers how to use the STC materials with an emphasis on 

inquiry pedagogy and incorporating literacy.

June 18-20, 2014; 

June 25-27, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Teacher Professional 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Smithsonian Science 

Education Academies 

for Teachers (SSEATs) 

Biodiversity Week

In collaboration with other museums and units of the 

Smithsonian, the SSEC works to create and deliver week-long 

professional development for teachers of science, these 

programs, known as the Smithsonian Science Education 

Academies for Teachers. SSEATs were started in 2005 to bridge 

the gap between formal and informal science education by 

combining training in science content and pedagogy with behind 

the scenes experiences at a wide variety of Smithsonian units, 

Smithsonian Affiliate partners, and world-class science research 

facilities throughout the Washington DC area. 

June 22-17, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Professional 

Development for 

Teachers

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Level-two LASER i3 

2014 Summer 

Professional 

Development: New 

Mexico

The Level-two LASER i3 Summer Professional Development is for 

all Phase 1 teachers in the i3 schools. In New Mexico, 110 

teachers attended the workshops. Level-two training focuses on 

adult learning and increases teachers' science content 

knowledge to incorporate while teaching the STC Units in the 

2014-2015 school year. 

June 2-4, 2014; July 

28-31, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Teacher Professional 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Level-one LASER i3 

2014 Summer 

Professional 

Development: New 

Mexico 

The Level-one LASER i3 Summer Professional Development is for 

all Phase 2 teachers in the i3 schools. In New Mexico, 93 teachers 

attended the workshops. Level-on training shows teachers how 

to use the STC materials with an emphasis on inquiry pedagogy 

and incorporating literacy. 

June 4-6, 2014; July 

31-August 1, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Teacher Professional 

Development 

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 26
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SSEC Colorado LASER 

Initiative

Teachers convened for an intensive three day professional 

development workshop on the STC curriculum series and kits 

from June 9-11, 2014 as the first program in the Colorado LASER 

Initiative. In addition to rigorous classroom workshops, each day 

included plenary sessions focusing on standards alignment, 

literacy, student note-booking, and an overview of the Colorado 

LASER Initiative. This training prepared teachers to implement 

the STC curriculum series and the LASER Model in their 

classrooms for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year. A Principals 

Meeting was held on June 10, 2014 in conjunction with the 

training to connect with the principals from participating schools.

June 9-11. 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Professional 

Development for 

Teachers

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC Investing in Innovation 

(i3) Validation Grant

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (formerly the NSRC) 

received a 5-year, $30 million investing in innovation (i3) grant in 

2010 to improve K-8 science education. Over the course of 5 

years, the SSEC will work with research institutes, communities, 

districts, schools, and teachers in North Carolina, New Mexico, 

and Houston to evaluate the effectiveness of their inquiry-based 

science education model (LASER) and to hopefully develop 

practices and procedures that can be replicated in other schools, 

districts and states. The historically underrepresented groups this 

program engages are the students in the three districts of the 

study.

October 1, 2010-

September 30, 2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Validation Study Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

North Carolina 

Implementation 

Institute (i3)

On October 21-22, 2013, leadership teams from the North 

Carolina LASER i3 districts convened in Research Triangle Park for 

a jam packed day-and-a-half long Implementation Institute. 

These teams first met in August 2011 for the Strategic Planning 

Institute when they drafted strategic plans to transform their 

science education programs. Now, two years later, teachers and 

administrators spearheading these efforts gathered to assess 

their progress. The Implementation Institute provided crucial 

time for local leadership to revisit and update the strategic plan 

while also gaining new material aimed at advancing the 

sustainability of this education transformation. The historically 

underrepresented groups this program engages are the students 

in the three districts of the study.

October 21-22, 

2013 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Strategic planning 

conference with 

teachers and 

administrators

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 27
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA SSEC LASER i3 Condensed Kit 

Training 

Condensed Kit Training (CKT) are an abbreviated workshop for 

teachers who were unable to attend the more in-depth summer 

professional development. 90 teachers in Houston attended the 

workshop and received an introduction to LASER i3 and learned 

how to teach the STC Unit. Topics covered included how to set up 

lessons, materials management, student note-booking, and 

classroom management. The CKTs are taught by teacher-leaders 

in the regions. Building the capacity in teachers to train their 

colleagues also contributes to the long-term sustainability of the 

program. 

October, 2013-

January, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Professional 

Development of 

Teachers 

Program 

Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Colorado LASER 

Initiative Condensed 

Unit Training

Teachers convened for an intensive half-day professional 

development workshop on the STC curriculum series and kits on 

September 27, 2014 as a make-up training for those unable to 

attend the summer professional development workshops for the 

Colorado LASER Initiative. Each participant received an overview 

of the Colorado LASER Initiative and the additional resources 

provided through the program, and then received in-depth 

training on the unit that they are going to implement this school 

year. This training prepared teachers to implement the STC 

curriculum series and the LASER Model in their classrooms for the 

upcoming 2014-2015 school year.

September 27, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Professional 

Development for 

Teachers

Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Luis Garay's Percussion 

Explosion

Children's Musical Performance: Garay’s sensational Percussion 

World ensemble unleashes the primal power of congas, bongos, 

steel drums, the marimba, and other instruments as kids explore 

the rhythms and musical traditions of the Caribbean and Latin 

America. Audiences really get moving to the pulsating beat in this 

bang-up program. (2 shows)

10/4/2013 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 28
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA The Incomparable Ella

Ella: Like a select few in music—Hoagy, Cole, Duke, Elvis, 

Wynton—you recognize her by her first name alone. Ira Gershwin 

said he never knew how good his songs were until he heard Ella 

Fitzgerald sing them. Join John Edward Hasse, co-curator of the 

long-running Smithsonian exhibition Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of 

Song, as he draws on film and video clips, rare photographs, and 

original recordings to provide insight into Fitzgerald’s 

extraordinary journey from shy orphan to beloved international 

celebrity. Hear classic renditions of sensitive ballads such as 

“Embraceable You” and “The Man I Love” and thrilling 

performances including “Mack the Knife” and “How High the 

Moon.” View seldom-seen video footage of Fitzgerald with Frank 

Sinatra, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Learn about her warm 

personality (she trustingly welcomed busloads of tourists into her 

Beverly Hills home), and even find out about the only kind of song 

that she did not perform well. As he traces the evolution and 

triumph of one of America’s greatest singers, Hasse also shares 

personal stories about Fitzgerald at the Smithsonian, how the 

Institution’s Ella Fitzgerald Collection came about—and even how 

he combed her house for memorabilia.

February 20, 2014 Completed African Americans Ticketed Program Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA

Shisa Dogs and Taiko 

Drums: A Japanese 

Journey

Children's Musical Show: Nothing is more exciting than the sound 

of a big Japanese drum. And a huge, purple dancing lion-dog is a 

must for every festival. Musicians and colorfully costumed 

dancers from the Chin Hamaya Daiko Culture Center use drums, 

chant, song, and dance to sweep you into the spirit of 

celebrations from Japan’s Ryukyu Islands. (2 shows)

03/01/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Performance Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 29
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA Before the People 

Came: An African Fable

Children's Puppet Show: African rhythms, masks, vivid costumes, 

and life-size puppets add up to a delightful mini-spectacular in 

the spirit of The Lion King. In this magical folktale, when a 

drought leaves the animals weak from thirst, a rabbit discovers a 

juicy pear tree—and the tiger who guards it. They learn to work 

together in a most unexpected way. The story’s lessons about 

sharing and diversity are artfully woven into a blend of spokenword poetry and jazz, blues, funk, and pop music that will have 

young audiences caught in its delightful spell. (2 Shows)

03/18/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA

Ocean Adventures: 

Diving with Humpbacks 

in the Caribbean

Children's Science Show: Join a remarkable expedition as ocean 

explorers Wayne and Karen Brown share real whale specimens 

(including a 7-foot tooth!), biological models, high-tech SCUBA 

equipment, and stunning HD multi-image presentations. Hear an 

undersea love song, swim along with a mother humpback and 

her newborn calf, and meet Herbie, the 20-foot inflatable whale. 

Kids will love diving into the adventure! (2 shows)

04/04/2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Time for Taiwan

Taiwan is one of Asia's industrial powerhouses, and its diverse 

natural assets and cultural attractions make it a draw for visitors 

as well. Situated off China’s southeastern coast, much of the 

island is lush forestland, but the topography includes picturesque 

mountains, rice fields, and beautiful beaches. Because of its 

unique historical and geographical background, Taiwan as we 

know it today reflects an extremely vivid and diverse culture. 

Take an armchair tour of Taiwan’s beauties, customs, and 

traditions with Pauline Frommer, co-president of Frommer Media 

and a nationally syndicated travel columnist. The evening also 

includes classical Taiwanese folk songs performed on the erhu, a 

traditional Chinese stringed instrument, by Juilliard graduate WeiYang Andy Lin and other musicians. A tasting of Taiwanese treats 

and bubble teas closes the journey.

April 23, 2014 Completed Asian Americans Ticketed Program Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Native Pride Dancers

Children's Musical Play: World champion fancy dancer Larry 

Yazzie and his troupe share the excitement of a Native American 

pow wow with vibrant dances, rainbow-colored regalia, and 

pulsating drumming. (1 show)

6/25/2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Performance Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 30
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA

Witness to a Dream: 

The Studio of James 

Van Der Zee

James Van Der Zee’s camera captured the spirit and life of Harlem 

for more than 50 years. From the 1920s to the 70s, 

everyone—from brides to blues singers, political and artistic 

notables to anonymous but stylish New Yorkers—made their way 

to his 135th Street studio, where his photographs created an 

informal but indelible record of a place, a time, and an emerging 

middle class of African Americans.

Deborah Willis discusses how Van Der Zee’s elegant, formally 

composed studio portraits and his slice-of-city-life images 

depicted members of a vibrant community during decades of 

transition; his critical role in documenting the Harlem 

Renaissance; his place among the last century’s influential 

photographers; and the impact of his works in shaping a 

collective urban history, memory, and social consciousness. 

December 10, 2014 Completed African Americans Ticketed Program Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Billy Kelly Blasts Off

Children's Musical Performance: The Air and Space Museum is 

the perfect place to hear catchy, quirky tunes from the kindie 

rocker and PBS Kids artist who, wrote “Why Is the Moon 

Following Me?” and “Dance from Outer Space.” Billy’s infectious 

songs show off what NPR calls “an endearingly oddball sense of 

humor” and grab kids with their smart silliness (or is it silly 

smartness?). (4 shows)

01/16-01/17/14 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Lions of Industry, 

Mothers of Invention

Children's Historical Play: Discovery Theater’s original interactive 

play honors the creativity and genius of African American 

entrepreneurs and inventors including beauty-product magnate 

Madame C.J. Walker; agricultural chemist and “peanut man” 

George Washington Carver; education giant Booker T. 

Washington; and George Crum, the cranky chef who accidentally 

created the potato chip. The production inspires the dreamer and 

achiever in all of us. (8 Shows) 

02/04-02/06/14 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Bessie and Bill: Black 

Wings in Flight

Children's Historical Play: Daredevil Bessie Coleman barnstormed 

the country as the first licensed African American woman pilot. 

Inspired by her grit and perseverance, Bill Powell became a pilot 

and trained the famous Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Meet 

these spunky pioneers of the air in a powerful show that speaks 

to even the youngest dreamer. (10 shows)

02/19-02/26/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Performance Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 31
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA All the Way Live

Children's Musical Show.: Rising hip-hop star Paige Hernandez 

and master beat-box artist Baye Harrell can make 

anything—from the alphabet to folktales—come to life with a 

simple beat, a rhythm, and a rhyme. They’ll collaborate on the 

spot to create some incredible remixes that unfold through 

dance, poetry, rap, and tracks by DJ Nick Tha 1da in this 

production created just for Discovery Theater. (4 shows)

02/27-02/28/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Amelia and Her Big Red 

Plane

Children's historical play: Amelia Earhart was an adventurer—and 

this interactive puppet show puts adventurous kids right beside 

her as little Amelia builds her own roller coaster in the backyard, 

takes off in her first plane (right over their heads), and flies across 

the Atlantic. The show has airplanes that soar and puppets that 

sing as it brings daring Amelia vibrantly to life. (6 shows)

03/13-03/14/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Live! Amazing Animals 

of the Rainforest

Children's Wildlife Show: Meet Dexter the lemur—who loves 

hanging upside down, eating blackberries, and helping spread the 

word about his native habitat—when Leesburg Animal Park 

brings the rainforest to Discovery Theater. They’ll also meet other 

amazing critters who live there. It could be Slinky, a 7-foot 

Columbian red-tailed boa, Charlie the iguana, or hissing 

cockroaches that can scare off predators with a sound as loud as 

a lawn mower. We’ll learn why this South American ecosystem is 

so important to our planet’s health—and how we can all help 

preserve it. (4 shows)

03/20-03/21/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Gustafer Yellowgold's 

Show

Children's Musical Show: Get ready for sunny, funny Gustafer! In 

a show that the New York Times describes as “a cross between 

Yellow Submarine and Dr. Seuss,” meet the cute cartoon alien 

who landed on earth from his home on the sun. Gustafer 

Yellowgold’s adventures as an explorer in a slightly psychedelic 

version of the Minnesota woods are brought to life by singersongwriter-illustrator Morgan Taylor in a bubbly mix of music, 

animation, and storytelling. (4 shows)

04/10-04/11/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 32
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA

Garbage to Gardens: 

An Earth Week 

Exploration

Children's Outdoor Program: Mother Nature loves garbage—and 

uses ours to make new soil. Meet Smithsonian naturalists in the 

beautiful Haupt Garden of the Castle for an Earth Week story, 

then get the inside scoop on how compost becomes dirt and find 

out how throwing a “seed bomb” can make a bare patch of 

ground bloom. Plenty of great hands-on activities make this the 

perfect way to celebrate our planet. (9 shows)

04/22-04/23/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Children's Program Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Tigers, Dragons and 

Other Wise Tales

Children's Cultural Play: This delightful Discovery Theater original 

reimagines folk tales from Asia with a modern touch and plenty 

of fresh fun. The Tiger, the Thief, and the Dried Persimmon 

(Korea) puts a new spin on mistaken identity with a very silly 

tiger, a babysitting grandma, and dried fruit. The Boy and the Fly 

(Vietnam) is a sweetly silly slapstick romp with a little lesson 

thrown in. The Wise Mole (Japan) updates an ancient story of 

young love, complete with cell phones and iPods. The mythic 

Four Dragon Rivers of China features beautiful flying dragon 

puppets. (10 shows) 

05/06-05/16/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Barefoot Puppets: 

Trickster Tales

Children's Puppet Show: How does a spider beat an elephant in a 

bout of tug-of-war? Find out when Anansi the Spider takes center 

stage in two traditional folktales from West Africa. You’ll also 

meet Elephant, Hippo, Namibi the python, Osebo the leopard, a 

swarm of angry hornets, and an even angrier Sky God, all in the 

form of expressive rod and hand puppets. Colorful scenery, 

original music, and lots of puns add to the high-energy antics. (4 

shows)

06/05-06/06/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Diggity Dudes

Children's Musical Performance: Diggity Dudes rock the summer! 

Their breakout hit “Presidential Physical Fitness Test” made them 

the happiest rebels of kindie music, and their ultra catchy 

melodies set over funky and danceable grooves have kept young 

Dudes and Dudettes moving ever since. With hip sounds for hip 

kids, audience participation, and lighthearted comedy, the Diggity 

Dudes’ show is ideal warm-weather fun for camp groups or a 

family day at the Smithsonian. (4 shows)

06/26-06/27/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 33
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA Uno, Dos, Tres con 

Andres!

Children's Bilingual Musical Performance: Counting has never 

been more fun in English AND Spanish. Play and dance with 

Andrés Salguero to songs familiar and new as he uses sing-alongs 

and movement to share Spanish words and create plenty of 

bilingual fun. (4 shows)

09/19-09/20/2013 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Gear Up 

Smithsonian Scholars teach Chemistry and Environmental Science 

to 11th grade students in Lafayette parish. (Lafayette, LA) 10/22-24/2013 Completed African Americans Teacher Workshop Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Joanie's Halloween 

Party

Children's Musical Performance - There’s no reason to scare up 

an excuse to dance like crazy when the energetic Brooklyn-based, 

kindie-rock band Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights make their 

Halloween debut at Discovery Theater. Leeds brings songs from 

her latest album, Bandwagon, along with other hits and kidfriendly Halloween tunes. The band will be in costume—and 

families can be, too! (4 shows)

10/31-11/01/13 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Pappelappap: 

Cardboard Play Time

Children's Theatrical Performance: A box is a box is a box—or is 

it? With a little imagination, a plain brown shipping box can turn 

into anything. How about a tiger, a dragon, or a flying machine? 

Inventive solo performer Ulrike Kley from Germany proves that 

the possibilities are endless and that an everyday cardboard box 

can contain a world of theatrical fun. (4 shows)

11/03-11/04/13 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Peoples of the Sea: 

Imamsuat

Children's Russian-influenced Musical Performance: Creeks, 

rivers, and the vast waters of the North Pacific and the Bering Sea 

are alive for the Sugpiaq peoples of southern and southwest 

Alaska. This multigenerational troupe captures a rich and proud 

heritage in song, story, dance, and music—some of which reflect 

the region’s strong Russian influence. Masks, costumes, and 

native instruments add to the spirit of the absorbing 

performance. (4 shows) 

11/05-11/06/13 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Rolie Polie Guacamole 

Children's Musical Performance: Can you get any hipper than a 

kindie-rock band from Brooklyn? Rolie Polie Guacamole’s highenergy, interactive shows are a mix of funk, rock, and folk sounds 

mashed into original tunes about natural living, eating healthy, 

and staying active. Their latest album, Houses of the Moly, 

brought them a Parents' Choice Silver Award. (4 shows)

11/14-11/15/13 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 34
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA

Barefoot Puppets: 

Ooey Gooey 

Thanksgiving

Children's Puppet Show: Heidi and Sam, two wacky puppeteers, 

and Ooey Gooey, the most adorable worm in the circus, take a 

playful, interactive look at some favorite characters from 

children’s rhymes and stories. Whatever happened to those three 

kittens and their mittens? How do you sit on a tuffet? And did 

Jonathan Blake really eat too much cake? Get ready to find out! 

After Friday’s family show, join us for a special treat. (5 shows)

11/25-11/29/13 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Baby Rex's Holiday 

Surprise

Children's Holiday Puppet Show: Dinosaurs sport the perfect 

holiday color scheme: jollyholly green with a bit of red. But is 

Baby Rex ready for the holiday season? Pals Massimo 

Maxicalisaurus and Shao Shao the Microraptor lead him on a 

globetrotting musical journey to show that midwinter 

celebrations are all about family, food, fun, and sharing the best 

of you. (4 shows)

12/12-12/13/13 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Seasons of Light

Children's Multi-cultural Holiday Play: Joy, warmth, and 

community illuminate seasonal holiday celebrations the world 

over. Back for its 15th season, this signature Discovery Theater 

show celebrates the history and customs of Ramadan, Devali, 

Sankta Lucia, Chanukah, Los Posados, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and 

the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice in an interactive 

event that bridges communities and cultures. This show sells out 

early, so get your tickets now! (30 shows)

12/2-12/20/13 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Gear Up Smithsonian Scholars teach Environmental Science and Physics in 

district high schools. (Lafayette, LA) 2/19-21/2014 Completed African Americans Teacher Workshop Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Scholars in the Schools 

and Voices of Discovery

Musicians from Arkansas perform a public concert on the works 

of Thomas Hart Benton, and Smithsonian Educators teach 

interactive art lessons to district high schools. (Kansas City, MO)

3/25-28/2014 Completed African Americans Teacher Workshop Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Magnet School GrantSTEM

Smithsonian experts and educators present on STEM topics to a 

local Magnet School teacher cohort. 6/16-20/2014 Completed African Americans Teacher Workshop Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Bismark Indian 

Educators June

Smithsonian scholars and affiliated artists and educators present 

on methods for teaching prairie traditions to teachers-in-training 

at United Tribes Technical College.

6/23-27/2014 Completed Native Americans Teacher workshop Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 35
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA Pop-Up Science: 

Making it Real

Children's Science Show: Children’s Science Center has been 

taking Virginia by storm with their interactive workshops and 

now, they are at the Smithsonian with a special show that puts 

science center stage and you in the spotlight. (8 shows)

7/15-7/18/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Soul in Motion Players: 

Drum and Dance

Children's Musical Show -This explosive troupe of dancers and 

drummers will move you with chest pounding drum, foot 

stomping dance, and an infectious joy that captures and holds 

heart and spirit...out of Africa, living on in America. (8 shows)

7/22-7/25/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Bismark Indian 

Educators July

Smithsonian scholars and affiliated artists and educators present 

on teaching science methods to teachers-in-training at United 

Tribes Technical College.

7/28-8/1/2014 Completed Native Americans Teacher workshop Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Christylez Bacon: 

Human Beatbox

Children's musical performance: All the world’s a Beatbox with 

this Grammy nominated master of hip hop, beats, and rhymes. 

Also, this acclaimed D.C. superstar gets everybody into the act by 

creating an all audience Human Orchestra. (8 shows)

7/8-7/11/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA

The Great Adventures 

of Austin Clark and the 

Expedition Albatross

Children's historical play: A calamitous earthquake...a young bride 

left behind...a voyage to faraway shores...unknown creatures of 

the deep. Dashing and adventurous Austin Clark experienced it all 

in 1906—and captured it in letters, field books, and sketches that 

evoke the excitement and danger of the young Smithsonian 

scientist’s high-seas expedition. Charismatic actor Josh Strickland 

brings Clark to life in an interactive production that uses a 

sweeping musical score and video by award-winning composer 

Matt Nielson and Sound Lab to create a world of adventure. After 

the show, step into Sant Ocean Hall to explore the museum that 

Clark called home. (4 shows)

7/8-7/14/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Performance Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA Smithsonian Week in 

Riverside Smithsonian scholars present in local schools and public venues. 9/24-27/2014 Planned Native Americans Teacher workshop Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 36
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA

Behind the Scenes at 

the Beyond Bollywood 

Exhibition

The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s groundbreaking 

new exhibition Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the 

Nation explores the heritage, daily experiences, and the many 

diverse contributions that immigrants and Indian Americans have 

made to the United States.  The exhibition at the Museum of 

Natural History includes historical and contemporary images and 

artifacts, including those that document histories of 

discrimination and resistance, convey daily experiences, and 

symbolize achievements across the professions. (continued on 

next row)

March 11, 2014 & 

March 19, 2014 Completed Asian Americans Ticketed Tour Program 

Diversity

ASEA TSA

Jazzy Nights in Shaw: A 

Stroll Through 1920s 

Washington 

The combination of jazz and bootleg booze was an irresistible 

force in Prohibition-era Washington, and nowhere in town was 

the music hotter or the drinks more plentiful than in Shaw. The 

clubs and theaters on U Street, N.W., dubbed the city’s “Black 

Broadway,” drew audiences to hear headliners like Cab Calloway, 

Louis Armstrong, and D.C.-born Duke Ellington. Join author and 

local historian Garrett Peck on a walking tour that focuses on 

Shaw during this colorful era. It begins at the legendary Howard 

Theatre, the cultural centerpiece of neighborhood, then heads to 

the sites of several 1920s clubs along U Street, including the Club 

Caverns (now Bohemian Caverns), Club Bali, Murray’s Palace 

Casino, and the Minnehaha Theatre (later the location of another 

landmark, Ben’s Chili Bowl). Along the way, learn about the city’s 

race riot of 1919, the unusual tale of a policeman-turnedbootlegger, and the African American artists, performers, and 

poets who turned this neighborhood into a vaunted nightlife 

scene rivaled only by Harlem. Any excursion through a 1920s 

entertainment mecca wouldn’t be complete without a beverage, 

so raise a post-walk glass to the glories of Shaw’s past at Right 

Proper Brewing.

July 10, 16, or 24, 

2014 Completed African Americans Ticketed Tour Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 37
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

ASEA TSA

Behind the Scenes at 

the Beyond Bollywood 

Exhibition

Music and visual artworks provide commentary on the Indian 

American experience and form an important component of the 

exhibition. Join Masum Momaya, curator at the Asian Pacific 

American Center, on a private tour before the museum opens to 

the public. Masum talks about her fascinating experiences 

working on Beyond Bollywood, and the process of assembling 

and designing a major Smithsonian exhibition.

March 11, 2014 & 

March 19, 2014 Completed Asian Americans Ticketed Tour Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 38
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA AP Project SEARCH SI

Project SEARCH is an international program model which focuses on internships 

leading to employment for Project SEARCH interns. It has grown from one original 

program site at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to over 200 sites across 40 states 

and four countries. In keeping with the national model, Project SEARCH 

Smithsonian is a one-year transition program designed for young adults with 

intellectual and developmental disabilities who are either in their last year of high 

school or are recent graduates. The program targets individuals whose main goal 

is employment, and who will benefit from full time career exploration in a 

business setting. The Project SEARCH model involves an extensive period of 

training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, long-term job coaching, 

and continuous feedback from teachers, job coaches and internship supervisors. 

As a result, at the completion of the training program, students with significant 

intellectual disabilities are employed in nontraditional, complex and rewarding 

jobs. The Smithsonian partners with the Ivymount School and SEEC, an adult 

rehabilitation services provider. The partners provide consistent on-site staff 

including a special education teacher and job coaches. The Project SEARCH 

Smithsonian team identifies and develops internship sites, supports supervisors 

and interns, and assists with the hiring process. Individual job development and 

placement occurs based on the participant’s experiences, strengths, and skills. 

Participants are given support with accommodations, adaptations and on-the-job 

coaching. Students are on site at the Smithsonian each school day for 10 months.

They participate in three 10-week internships during the school year. The 

students have one hour of classroom instruction daily and 4.5 to 5 hours at their 

internship site. Benefits to the Participants: Participate in a variety of internships 

within the host business, Acquire competitive, transferable and marketable job 

skills, Gain increased independence, confidence, and self esteem, Obtain workbased individualized coaching, instruction and feedback, and Develop linkages to 

Vocational Rehabilitation and other adult service agencies. Benefits to the 

Business:, Access to a new, diverse, talent stream with skills that match labor 

needs, Gain intern/ employees with disabilities who serve as a role model for 

customers, Access to a demographic of the economy with intense buying power: 

people with disabilities represent one of the fastest growing market segments in 

the US, Experience increased regional and national recognition through 

marketing of this unique program, and Performance and retention in some highturnover, entry-level positions increase dramatically. 

Fall 2012 - On-going In-progress

Individuals with Disabilities

African Americans

Hispanics

Asian Americans

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Internship to 

employment program 

for young adults who 

have cognitive 

disabilities

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 39
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA AP Morning at the 

Museum

A pan-institutional program that addresses the needs expressed 

by families of children on the autism spectrum or who have other 

types of cognitive disabilities. The program offers early opening 

hours at various SI museums every other month along with 

extensive on-line visit preparation materials and a “Take a Break” 

space staffed by a therapist for children who need to remove 

themselves from the activities for a short period of time.

2010 - On-going In-progress

Individuals with Disabilities

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Programming for 

children who have 

cognitive disabilities

Program 

Diversity

USFA AP

Access to 

Opportunities 

Internship Program

For many young people, the transition from school to work can be fraught 

with challenges. A young person leaves the supportive environment of an 

educational institution and enters the world of advanced education or 

work. To navigate this transitional period successfully one must possess a 

definitive skill-set, relevant professional experience, and a relatively high 

level of independence. One acquires these qualities over time, through 

professional and personal experiences. Given today’s job market, it is 

critical that young people pursue challenging opportunities which will 

provide each of them with professional contacts, qualifications, and a 

competitive edge. The challenges described above are even more pressing 

for people with disabilities. According to the 2012 Cornell University 

Disability Status Report a significant employment gap exists between those 

who are employed and have a disability and those who are employed and 

do not. 76.3 percent of the working population without a disability is 

employed. This is in stark contrast to the 33.5 percent of the population 

with a disability that is working. This disquieting statistic demonstrates a 

grim reality: often times young people with disabilities are given a minimal 

amount of opportunity in relation to their talents, abilities, and capacity.

The Smithsonian, in partnership with The HSC Foundation has established 

an internship program specifically designed for people with disabilities that 

has set high expectations for those who have participated, and provided 

them with an equivalent experience to those who do not have disabilities.

The program has empowered participants’ sense of independence and 

created a population of young people with disabilities who can be 

competitive in the work environment. Exposure to the real world of work, 

research, and academics within the supportive and engaging environment 

that is the Smithsonian will provide them with the ability and confidence to 

transfer the skills they developed in the classroom to the world of work.

2009 - Ongoing Please choose one:

Individuals with Disabilities

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Internships

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 40
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA AP ADA 25th Anniversary 

Celebration

A three-day Festival July 24-26, 2015 on the grounds of the 

National Museum of American History (NMAH) to celebrate the 

25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and 

the disability community. The Festival and programming planned 

by NMAH and the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) are in 

collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing 

Arts which is celebrating its 40th anniversary of VSA, a national 

disability arts organization. Main themes for the Festival include: 

a performing arts stage; a disability history and oral history tent; 

a tent for various topics including assistive technology, 

employment of people with disabilities, service animals, and 

visual arts; a children’s activity area.

July 24-26, 2015 Planned

Individuals with Disabilities

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Collaborative 

Programming on 

Disability History, Arts 

and Culture

Program 

Diversity

USFA AP Access App Project

The goal of the “Access App" is to create an open source solution 

for museums that increases accessibility to collections by adding 

to the museum’s body of accessible mobile content through 

crowdsourcing verbal description, American Sign Language video 

content and translations of museum content into other spoken 

and signed languages. We aim to answer the question “How can 

museums provide equal access to their content and collections in 

the format and through the means that each individual prefers?” 

A prototype at the National Museum of American History has 

successfully demonstrated the potential of the project’s universal 

design approach to engage all visitors and more fully realize 

museums’ educational and interpretive missions. To be truly 

successful the App needs significant expansion and refinement to 

add video capture capabilities, improve the usability of the 

interface, and make the entire platform easily reusable by other 

cultural organizations. This project will create a platform that any 

museum can use to tailor their own content. The project is being 

developed by a consortia of museums and cultural arts 

organizations and received significant funding from the IMLS.

October 2014 - 

December 2017 In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Accessibility through Mobile Technology

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 41
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA AP

Social/Educational 

Programming for 

Adults Ages 22-30 who 

have Cognitive 

Disabilities

A new program for adults ages 22-30 who have cognitive 

disabilities, a vulnerable population that has few social 

opportunities post high school. We will use the SI museums for 

an every other month club that offers social and educational 

activities.

Spring 2015 - 

Ongoing

Planned

Individuals with Disabilities

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Programming for 

Adults with Cognitive 

Disabilities

Program 

Diversity

Secretary

USFA

USHAC

OS

OCIO

OUHAC

Smithsonian Digital 

Volunteers 

Transcription Center

The Smithsonian Transcription Center invites members of the public (“Digital 

Volunteers”) to transcribe historic materials from across Smithsonian collections. 

Launched in June 2013, this crowdsourcing initiative aims to “unpack” 

handwritten archival treasures for the benefit of scholars and the general 

public. The pan-Institutional project team, led by staff in OCIO and OS and 

including colleagues from SIA, AAA, NMNH, NMAH, FSG, ACMA, NAA, and SIL, has 

committed to presenting documents for transcription that highlight the histories 

of a broad range of communities within the US and around the globe. As of 

spring 2014, more than 850 active digital volunteers are transcribing and 

reviewing materials under the auspices of Smithsonian curators and collections 

managers. Their work product is indexed, searchable text that enriches collection 

records & metadata – made available for all to use through the Collections Search 

Center. The Transcription Center aims to expand access to the featured 

collections for all readers. The site has been developed so that the visionimpaired may read all text, including the transcribed text, with assistive software. 

The digitized collections in the Transcription Center include diaries, manuscripts, 

field books, photo albums, specimen labels, and more. To date, the project list 

has showcased the history, achievements, and culture of many groups. For 

example, our volunteers have worked on research notes of women scientists, 

linguistic notes and vocabularies of American Indian populations, the poetry and 

prose of African American pioneers and civic leaders, and expedition reports from 

Africa, the Pacific, and the Southeastern US. So far, individuals from 121 

countries have helped transcribe over 10,800 pages. The Transcription Center 

team recruits and cultivates volunteers through creative social media 

initiatives. OCIO staff partner with unit colleagues to tailor outreach to 

communities likely to have interest in the subject matter. Volunteers repeatedly 

describe the experience of transcribing as an “honor,” noting that they are 

motivated to contribute to the mission of the Smithsonian. Moreover, many have 

benefited from special opportunities to “go behind the scenes” to learn about the 

collections in depth from Smithsonian experts. The Transcription Center promises 

to advance the Institution’s efforts to broaden access to our resources and “spark 

the learning in everyone.”

06/15/2013 - ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 42
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OFEO Diversity in 

Recruitment

OFEO has placed vacancy announcements in various publications 

in our efforts to expand our minority, women and persons with 

disabilities applicant pool in all positions across OFEO. Some of 

those publications are: National Association of Women in 

Construction; Professional Women in Construction; National 

Organization of Minority Architects; Washington Post; National 

Policy Academy

10/01/2013-

09/30/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Recruitment

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OFEO Diversity in 

Recruitment

Additionally, OFEO has partnered with eighteen of the local trade 

schools that educate future facilities professionals. 

10/01/2013-9/30-

2014 Completed

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Hispanics

Asian Americans

African Americans

Career Fairs Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OFEO Diversity in 

Recruitment

OFEO has been involved in various recruitment programs.Some 

of those programs include: Veterans Administration 

Compensated Work Therapy Program; Workforce Recruitment 

Disability Program; Project Search

10/01/2013-

09/30/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Formal

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OFEO Diversity in 

Recruitment

OFMR Career Fair 10/01/2013-

09/30/2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Asian Americans

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OFEO Diversity in 

Recruitment Hosted 30 interns during FY14 10/01/2013-

09/30/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

internships Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 43
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OFEO Rotational Assignment 

Program (RAP)

The Rotational Assignment Program is designed to provide 

developmental/cross training assignments that give additional 

opportunities for employees to broaden their skills, gain 

knowledge, and enhance their personal and professional 

growth. This program is open to all OFEO employees each fiscal 

year giving them an opportunity to work with other OFEO 

offices. On average there are 50 opportunities available that are 

submitted from requesting offices and over 100 interested 

applicants.

10/01/2013-

09/30/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Career Fairs Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OFEO OFEO Digital Signage

We listened to staff comments about having limited access to a 

computer. We heard through surveys that staff wanted access to 

information more easily and routinely. This brought on the 

launch of an initiative to install digital signage in many of our 

employee break rooms and common gathering areas. To 

complete this task we met with each buildings facility manager, 

security manager and staff in each facility to determine the most 

appropriate locations. Phase one of the project is now 

complete. Twenty seven digital screens and players were 

installed and provide real time information on up and coming 

programs, training opportunities, Director’s announcements and 

any other information relevant to OFEO’s employees.

10/01/2013-

09/30/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Employee Outreach Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OFEO Contracting

OFEO awarded five small business set aside architect and 

engineer contracts and are awaiting awards for construction 

services on several more. We also entered into four new 8(a) 

IDIQ contracts for support to our Capital and Maintenance 

programs. 

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Supplier Diversity Supplier 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 44
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OHR

American Historical 

Association Annual 

Meeting

As the first Career Fair offered by the AHA, it was really well 

attended with a variety of doctorate, post-doctorate, and career 

professors interested in fellowship and career opportunities at 

the Smithsonian. Museum specialists shared about their 

professional background and role serving cultural institutions, 

while Omar, Shahin and Joy gave a general overview about 

internship and employment offerings and the hiring process. 

There was a considerable number of tenure professor interested 

in changing their careers and inquired about the museum field 

and qualifications. Additionally many conference attendees 

(Historians) were not well-informed or aware of career 

opportunities outside Academia and needed considerable 

guidance. This was discussed with the AHA Professional 

Development department for a potential partnership for 

participating in an educational session or workshop in a future 

conference or committee meeting. 

01/04/2014 Completed

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Hispanics

Asian Americans

African Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR First Annual Federal 

STEM Volunteer Fair

The STEM Volunteer Fair was a great opportunity for federal 

agencies to meet education and community-based organizations 

with a special focus on the biggest participation gaps in STEM 

fields – girls, women, and minorities. Organizations exhibited and 

shared their story, mission, audience, and volunteer needs. The 

Smithsonian Science Education Center had a booth showcasing 

their science education curriculum and professional development 

resources and programs. Tim Rhue and Shannon Marriot, 

Explainer Program Coordinator and NASM Education staff 

attended as participants. 

02/05/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs - STEM

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 45
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OHR The 2014 Maryland 

Leadership Institute

The University of Maryland’s Leadership Institute a speakerseminar series hosted by the UMD’s Asian American Studies 

Program and the Office of Multicultural Involvement & 

Community Advocacy. The goal of the institute is to help students 

gain leadership skills through learning and engaging in 

sociocultural, sociopolitical, and socioeconomic issues that 

impact Asian Americans. Along with 2 other Asian Pacific 

American professionals, Joy Lui spoke to 40+ students about my 

education and career in museums, and job and internship 

opportunities at the Smithsonian. 

02/05/2014 Completed Asian Americans Speaker Series Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR DC Career and 

Internship Connection

The event was an opportunity for students from the 17 

Consortium schools (Boston College, Brandeis, Case Western 

Reserve, Colgate, Hobart & William Smith, Johns Hopkins, Ithaca, 

Notre Dame, Pomona, Reed, St. Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, 

Skidmore, Tufts, University of Rochester, USC, and Wash. U. St. 

Louis.) to learn more about career opportunities at the 

Smithsonian. Joy Lui attended the event with Omar EatonMartinez from NMAH and Krista Aniel from APAC. 

01/10/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs - Nonlocal StudentsWorkforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR

Passion, Action and 

Goals: Obtaining a 

Successful Career in 

the Arts and 

Humanities

It is common that students in liberal arts, humanities, and art 

studies have difficulty directly translating, relating, and/or 

transferring their field of interest to a career or job opportunity. 

This workshop provided students with the opportunity to explore 

personal and academic interest through self-assessment and 

career exposure/awareness tools and activities. Participants were 

given worksheets and developed an Action Plan to meet their 

professional goals. Additionally, two professionals in the art and 

culture fields shared their experiences with the students. Melissa 

Bisagni, the Film and Media Curator at NMAI and Steven Booth at 

the National Archives provided helpful insights about their 

academic and professional careers. Participant survey results 

were positive and showed a strong interest in professional 

development workshops as well as interest in informational 

interviews/panels with museum and culture professionals. I am 

eager to take this experience to create more meaningful SI Career 

Awareness/Student Outreach programs in the future. 

02/19/2014 Completed African Americans Employer Info 

Session/Workshop

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 46
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OHR Smithsonian Career 

Awareness Event

A large group of students from the Arts Management and Public 

Policy graduate program at the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon 

University were toured through the Freer and Sackler Galleries 

photography In Focus: Ara Güler’s Anatolia exhibition. Led by 

Museum Educator, Joanna Pecore the students viewed the 

photographs and discussed exhibition-based public programming 

and the work of Freer-Sackler education department and it’s 

relation to other museum departments. Afterwards, 5 SI 

professionals from 4 different units shared their area of expertise 

and their career trajectory followed by Q&A. 

03/07/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling - 

Graduate Students

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR Latina Researchers 

Network Conference

SI staff members Omar Eaton-Martinez (NMAH), Karen Otiji 

(OSP), and Joy Liu (OHR), attended the Latina Researchers 

Conference: “Increasing the Pipeline for Future Scholars,” April 3-

5, 2014 in New York City. In addition to attending the conference 

to gain insights into recruiting, serving, and potentially 

collaborating with the Latino/Latina professional, scientific, and 

scholarship community, Smithsonian staff hosted an 

informational/exhibition table, sponsored a print advertisement 

in the conference publication, presented a skill-building/grantwriting workshop, and attended a variety of networking events. 

For instance, during a “Speed-networking” event, SI Staff 

discussed internship, fellowship, research and employment 

opportunities at the Smithsonian. Most conference attendees 

were unaware of the variety of our offerings and opportunities. 

They often serve as leaders, mentors, and role models in their 

communities and universities – thus the information we provided 

will most likely reach and impact their families, students, peers, 

and colleagues as well!

03/03/2014 - 

03/05/2014 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 47
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OHR University of Albany 

Student Visit

The Smithsonian Office of Human Resources hosted an 

information session for 19 students at the University of Albany, 

Department of Political Science. Guest speakers Karen Carter 

(OFI) and Sameen Piracha (APAC) began by sharing about their 

career trajectory and experiences applying for a Federal job 

through USAJOBS.gov. After, Joshua Pinkas and John Chiu (OHR) 

helped the students understand the federal application process 

and student Pathways program. Students were engaged and 

inquisitive, often asking questions throughout the session. Most 

questions were geared towards navigating USAJOBS.gov, writing 

effective Federal resumes, and the selection and placement 

process. The students were focused and determined in 

understanding the process with the goal of obtaining a Federal 

job or internship in the future. 

04/11/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Info Session Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR Bates College Student 

Visit

Hosted by the Office of Fellowships and Internships, 

undergraduate/rising seniors at Bates College, Maine visited the 

Smithsonian for an engaging and informative conversation about 

SI internship, fellowship, and job opportunities. Karen Carter 

provided an overview about Smithsonian internship and 

Fellowship programs, the application process, and described the 

experience in a variety of different fields. Joy Liu shared about the 

federal application process/navigating USAJOBS.gov as well as 

provided insights on the museum career development process. 

The session was followed by a question and answer session, most 

about how to apply and connect their major/interests to an 

internship and museum career. 

04/17/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Info Session Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 48
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OHR Bowie Community Job 

Fair

The City of Bowie hosted a community Job Fair to help local 

residents and others connect with employers who are hiring. The 

Smithsonian was one of 40+ employers providing job/agency 

information and opportunities for over 500 attendees. Diane, 

Barry, and Joy from the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources 

provided a variety of information on current job vacancies, SI 

career opportunities, USAJOBS.gov resources, and the federal 

hiring process. Additionally, the Smithsonian Latino Center and 

the National Museum of African American History and Culture 

donated educational and promotional postcards, flyers, and 

books that were displayed on the exhibit table. Many attendees 

were unaware of the Smithsonian’s offerings and diverse job 

opportunities. Smithsonian and museum career development 

and Federal resume guidance was also provided, giving us an 

opportunity to better connect and assist attendees. The event 

was a huge outreach success – we spoke with hundreds of 

attendees and there was almost always a line of 2-10 people 

waiting to speak with us! 

05/02/2014 Completed African Americans Career Fairs Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR

University Of California 

Washington Center 

Reception

Network reception with representatives from metropolitan 

Washington organizations with whom UCWC partner with. We 

had the opportunity to hear from the UC Washington Center 

Executive Director Helen Shapiro as well as from the Program 

Administrators. Additionally, building tours were offered which 

allowed participants to see where the interns take classes and 

live. 

09/16/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Networking - Nonlocal Students and 

Administrators

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR American University 

Career Fair

The job fair catered to AU students AND alumni seeking full-time, 

part-time, and internship positions. There were representatives 

from 140 nonprofit organizations, companies, and government 

agencies with more than 1,200 registered students and alumni 

from a variety of disciplines within AU. 

09/17/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR

University of Maryland 

College Park Career 

Fair 

The University of Maryland job fair garners 5,000 participants and 

is lauded to be one of the largest university fairs in the region. 

There were 180 registered employers. The Smithsonian 

participated on Day 2 of the fair. Participant's interests ranged 

more in business and accountant fields than other technical 

fields. 

09/18/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 49
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OHR

White House Initiative 

on Historically Black 

Colleges and 

Universities 

Conference and Career 

Fair

This annual conference was designed as a forum for HBCU 

presidents, senior administrators and other HBCU stakeholders to 

meet and interact with senior federal officials, representatives 

from the public and private sectors in order to meet the evolving 

challenges in higher education. We exhibited and distributed 

information about the following Smithsonian Offices: OHR , OFI , 

and NMAAHC. We also Participants attended workshops on 

diversity and contract building in the federal sector.

09/22/2014 - 

09/23/2014 Completed African Americans

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR

HACU 28th Annual 

Conference: 

“Championing Hispanic 

Higher Education 

Success: Investing in 

America’s Future”

The Office of Human Resources, as part of its diversity and 

Inclusion initiatives, partnered with several SI Units to conduct 

outreach at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities 

(HACU) 28th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado. The 

conference boasted almost 1,500 attendees, including 440 

students and over 700 stakeholders. For three days, OHR 

Diversity Specialist, Edith Tudae along with Emily Key of SLC; 

Shahin Nemazee of OEEMA; Omar Eaton-Martinez of NMAH; 

and Karen Carter of OFI, provided pertinent information and 

directives on how to obtain lucrative Smithsonian job and 

internships. The group also conducted a private Student Track 

panel which advised students on the importance making the 

most out of their internships and networking opportunities. 

HACU was founded in 1986 with 18 member colleges and 

universities. Today, HACU represents more than 400 colleges 

and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success 

in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain. Its Annual 

Conference provides a unique forum for the sharing of 

information and ideas for the best and most promising practices 

in the education of Hispanics.

10/4/2014 - 

10/06/2014 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 50
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USFA OHR

Hispanic Association of 

Colleges and 

Universities (HACU) 

Annual Conference: 

Championing Hispanic 

Higher Education 

Success: Securing the 

American Dream

Joy Liu of OHR’s Recruitment Branch collaborated with the Latino 

Center, NMAH, OEEMA, and OFI to participate in the Hispanic 

Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Annual 

Conference in Chicago. Throughout the conference, SI Staff 

engaged with hundreds of students, faculty, college 

administrators, and community leaders from Hispanic Serving 

Institutions and organizations. Smithsonian staff delivered a 

panel presentation and workshop providing information and 

resources about the broad range of internships, fellowships, and 

career opportunities at the Smithsonian. This garnered interest 

and increased awareness of Smithsonian’s programmatic and 

educational offerings. Additionally, the Smithsonian staff liaised 

with a number of faculty and student service providers, 

developing opportunities for potential partnerships and 

collaborations. The HACU Conference was an invaluable 

opportunity for the Smithsonian to learn more about the Latina/o 

student and student services population and how to connect with 

them in meaningful ways. Overall, the event was a collaborative 

success and further highlighted the need to create more personal 

connections with diverse and underrepresented communities.

10/26/2014 - 

10/28/2013 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

USFA OHR

Towson University EBusiness, Technology, 

and Management 

Career Fair

SI Associates and OHR engaged with students with backgrounds 

in project management, business analysis and e-Business; OHR 

connected and engaged with Center staff and learned current 

student service programs; presented SI diversity outreach 

initiatives and interest in developing programmatic partnerships. 

11/18/2013 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC AAA AAA Unit Hire

AAA's Operations department needed to backfill a Trust position 

that was essential to the overall support of the unit. AAA 

ensured that the announcement for a Trust Management 

Support Assistant was promoted through a variety of digital and 

print media job listings. The goal was to reach a large applicant 

pool. In December of 2013, AAA was successful in its search and 

was able to hire a new Management Support Assistant.

12/16/2013 Completed African Americans Digital Promotion of 

Job Opportunities

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 51
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC AAA

AAA letter of support 

of AAA Horowitz Fraad 

intern, Alyse Minterapplication to 

Association of Research 

Libraries/Society of 

American Archivists

The ARL/Society of American Archivists (SAA) Mosaic Program 

promotes much needed diversification of the archives and special 

collections professional workforce by providing financial support, 

practical work experience, mentoring, career placement 

assistance, and leadership development to emerging 

professionals from traditionally underrepresented racial and 

ethnic minority groups. An important objective of the program is 

to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate excellent 

potential for scholastic and personal achievement and who 

manifest a commitment both to the archives and special 

collections profession and to advancing diversity concerns within 

it. ARL/SAA will recruit 15 diverse students in archival science or 

special collections librarianship. The AAA Collections Processing 

department was pleased to provide this letter of support for our 

AAA Horowitz Fraad intern, Alyse Minter.

10/01/2013 Completed African Americans

Contributing to 

Furthering Career 

Paths

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC AAA Project Search Intern

At the beginning of FY 14, AAA's Collections Processing 

department worked with OUSHAC to bring a Project Search 

Intern on board to assist with minimum level processing work 

associated with artists' papers collections.

10/01/2013-

5/31/2014 Completed Individuals with Disabilities

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Formal

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC AAA Horowitz Fraad Intern AAA 

Information Resources summer intern - worked on oral 

history project relating to Leo Castelli papers/collection. 5/01/14-8/29/14 Completed African Americans Internship Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC AAA Horowitz Fraad Intern

AAA Collections Processing summer intern - preserved, arranged 

and wrote online finding aids for three archival collections: the 

Dorothy Varian papers, Reginald Gammon papers, and Francis 

Patrick Garvan papers. 

5/01/14-8/29/14 Completed African Americans Internship Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC AAA Horowitz Fraad Intern

AAA Curatorial summer intern - worked with Curator of 

Manuscripts to research the Archives' collections for an upcoming 

exhibition, "A Day in the Life: Artists' Diaries from the Archives of 

American Art." The intern helped to identify items for the 

exhibition checklist, conducted background research and drafted 

label copy.

5/01/14-8/29/14 Completed Hispanics Internship Workforce 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC AAA

Project Search Intern 

transition to Federal 

Hire

In June of 2014, a Project Search Intern was hired for a new 

position as an Archives Aide (Federal Excepted Appointment).

The Archives Aide is working for AAA's Collections Processing 

department. 

6/16/14 - present In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Project Search 

Internship

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC APAC 2014 ECAASU 

Conference

Konrad Ng delivered the keynote address at the 2014 East Coast 

Asian American Student Union Conference at the Lisner 

Auditorium, George Washington University.

February 22, 2014 Completed Asian Americans

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC APAC

University of San 

Francisco's Davies 

Forum

Professor Evelyn Ho of the Communication Studies Department 

and Professor Evelyn Rodriguez of the Department of Sociology 

present "Pondering Paradise: Contemporary Issues Through a 

Pacific Lens." This forum deeply and critically studied the Pacific 

to investigate new perspectives on US history, and the morality 

and ethics of America’s past, present, and future choices around 

pressing contemporary issues like globalization, war, 

development, migration, and their various outcomes. Guests 

included: Jon Okamura, Keith Camacho, Konrad Ng, Leanne 

Ferrer, Leslie Lombre, and Lisette Flanary. Konrad Ng 

delivered the keynote address at the University of San Francisco's 

Davies Forum on April 16, 2014. 

April 16, 2014 Completed Asian Americans

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

USHAC APAC University of California, 

Berkeley Symposium

Konrad Ng participated in the symposium "Curating Race in 

American Public Culture: Museums and the Challenge of 

Representation and Common Engagement" on April 18, 2014 at 

the University of California, Berkeley.

April 18, 2014 Completed Asian Americans

Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC APAC

AAM - APA 

Professional Network 

Roundtable

Krista Aniel, Program Assistant (Outreach) participated in the 

2014 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Asian Pacific 

American (APA) Professional Network Roundtable on May 20, 

2014, in Seattle, Washington. Krista met with representatives 

from the Wing Luke Museum, Royal British Columbia Museum, 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Museum of History and 

Industry, Nezu Museum Tokyo, Newark Museum, and Asian 

Civilizations Museum in Singapore to discuss cultural 

representation, developing authentic programming and 

interpretation, and strengthening the Asian Pacific American 

voice and leadership in the museum field. Participants discussed 

how internship and fellowship opportunities are vital in recruiting 

and developing a diverse workforce. She shared Smithsonian 

internship and fellowship information with these professional 

and educational networks to identify best practices and diversity 

initiatives.

May 20, 2014 Completed Asian Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC APAC

2014 Association for 

Asian American Studies 

Conference

Konrad Ng presented on three panels at the annual Association 

for Asian American Studies conference in San Francisco, CA: 

"Happy Together starring Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin;" "The Road 

Not Taken: Career Options for M.A. and Ph.D. Students;" and 

"Building a National Pop-up Museum of the Asian-Latino 

Experience."

April 16-18, 2014 Completed Asian Americans

Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC APAC

ECAASU “Beyond 

Bollywood” Exhibition 

Tour and Roundtable 

with Konrad Ng

On Monday, July 14, 2014, from 10:30am-12:00pm, the East 

Coast Asian American Student Union participated in a tour 

of APAC's Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the 

Nation exhibition. The exhibition explores the heritage, daily 

experience and numerous, diverse contributions that Indian 

immigrants and Indian Americans have made to shaping the 

United States. The tour was followed by a roundtable discussion 

with Konrad Ng, APAC Director who described his career path in 

the arts and culture, reflected upon the challenges and 

opportunities he has faced, and shared some of the best advice 

and guidance that has helped him along the way. 

July 14, 2014 Completed Asian Americans Career Counseling

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC APAC

Conference on Asian 

Pacific American 

Leadership (CAPAL) 

Career Fair 

The 5th annual CAPAL Career Fair is a unique opportunity to 

connect Asian Pacific American students and young professionals 

to top employers in the Washington, DC area. The career fair was 

held on Friday, July 18, 2014 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the 

National Education Association (NEA). APAC and OFI sent 

representatives to recruit prospective interns and fellows.

July 18, 2014 Completed Asian Americans Career Fairs

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC FSG

Asian American 

musicians, composers, 

and audiences FY 14

FSG has held the following list of concerts, and other performing 

arts programs during FY 14 that represent Asian American 

musicians, composers and audiences. Live Performances: 

Chandrika Tandon, vocals (October 19, 2013), K. Sridhar, sarod; 

Krishna Ramdas, tabla (October 26, 2013, part of the “Art of 

Yoga” family day), Performing Indonesia (October 31-November 

3, 2013), Srinivas Reddy, sitar; Guy Beck, vocals; Nitin Mitta, tabla 

(December 6, 2013), Sound: The Encounter – New Music from 

Iran and Syria(December 12, 2013), Music from Japan: Okinawan 

Fusions (February 26, 2014), Anatolian Inspirations: Modern 

Work ensemble; Neja Yatkin, dance; Kazem Davoudian, Santur 

(March 6, 2014), Music of Reza Valli: Carpe Diem Quartet (March 

8, 2014), Mayuko Kamio, violin; Catherine Chi, piano (March 27, 

2014)

10/19/2013 - 

3/27/2014 Completed Asian Americans Diverse programs and performances

Program 

Diversity

USHAC FSG

Asian American 

musicians, composers, 

and audiences FY 14

FSG has held the following list of concerts, and other performing 

arts programs during FY 14 that represent Asian American 

musicians, composers and audiences. Concert Podcasts (went live 

in FY14): Javanese Gamelan Music: Indonesian Institute of the 

Arts; Sound: The Encounter — New Music From Iran; Syria 

Masters of The Persian Santur: Dariush Saghafi And Kazem 

Davoudian; Shimmering Sounds from Bali: Gamelan Ensemble of 

the Indonesian Institute Of The Arts; Master of the Chinese Pipa: 

Wu Man, Sound: The Encounter — New Music from Iran and 

Syria; Yogic Sounds pf India: K. Sridhar, sarod; Krishna Ramdas, 

tabla; Ancient Music for the Chinese Zither: Bell Yung, gu-qin; The 

Bardic Divas: Women’s Voices from Kazakhstan; Naseer 

Shamma’s Al-Oyoun Ensemble

10/19/2013 - 

3/27/2014 Completed Asian Americans Diverse programs and 

performances

Program 

Diversity

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Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC HMSG ARTLAB+

ARTLAB+ is a radically inclusive digital media studio for local 

teens. Starting Tuesday, September 2 ARTLAB+ will resume its 

after school programs for teens aged 13-19. Programs occur 

daily, Monday – Friday from 3pm – 7pm. Each day there are 

workshops that teens can participate in: Monday – Makin’, 

Tuesday – Photography, Wednesday – Video Game Design, 

Thursday – Audio/Video Production, and Friday – 3D Design. The 

workshops are two hours and are held from 5-7pm.

September 2, 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

After school program 

for teens

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC HMSG Gallery Guides

Gallery Guides engage our visitors in an open dialogue about 

art. The program begins with an intensive training session that 

focuses on exhibition content, touring and dialogue techniques. 

After training, Guides have gallery shifts that total 12 hours/week 

and a 3 hour office shift during which they will work with 

Hirshhorn staff to produce education materials. Guides work as a 

team to develop a thorough understanding of the visitor 

experience that will be valuable in any museum career.

September 22, 2014 In-progress

Hispanics

Asian Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

African Americans

Career Counseling

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC HMSG After Hours with Zola 

Jesus

On October 17 the Hirshhorn Museum celebrates it's 40th 

anniversary, view our new exhibitions "Days of Endless Time" 

and "At the Hub of Things: New Views of the Collection," and to 

be part of the dynamic future of the Hirshhorn and the 

Smithsonian. The evening includes late-night gallery hours, 

curator-led tours, film screenings, and a live performance by Zola 

Jesus.

October 17, 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Public event to 

promote opening of 

new exhibitions 

during the 

Hirshhorn's 40th 

Anniversary

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC HMSG Internships

The Hirshhorn offers excellent opportunities for undergraduate 

or graduate students with museum studies focus. Internships are 

offered during the summer, spring, and fall/winter semesters, 

and academic credit may be arranged through the intern’s 

school. International students are encouraged to apply. 

Internships provide an excellent foundation for future museum 

work or art-related careers, driven by mentor-based educational 

experiences. 

Ongoing In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

Supplier 

Diversity

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Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC NMAH

Diversity Advisory 

Council Charter for 

NMAH

The NMAH Diversity Council exists to study, report on and 

advocate for diversity and inclusion for the NMAH staff, the 

Museum community (including docents, volunteers, contractors, 

interns, fellows, building residents, NMAH Board members, 

donors, and visitors) and the Museum’s exhibits and programs. 

The Council is requested to review and consider internal Museum 

management issues and concerns as well as intellectual issues 

regarding collections, research, programming, and exhibit 

content.

Ongoing Ongoing

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

NMAH Diversity 

Advisory Council

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM "Ray Yoshida: 

Omnivorous"

Essay by curator Leslie Umberger, in exhibition catalog by Karen 

Patterson, Ray Yoshida's Museum of Extraordinary Values. 

Sheboygan, WI: John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 2013, pg. 8-11.

2013 Completed Asian Americans Publication Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

Our America: The 

Latino Presence in 

American Art

Exhibition catalog. Ramos, E. Carmen. Our America: The Latino 

Presence in American Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum 

(Washington, DC) in association with D. Giles Limited, London, 

2014. (366 pages).

2014 Completed Hispanics Publication Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

Our America: The 

Latino Presence in 

American Art

20 Podcasts with scholars and artists and 8 podcasts with curator 

E. Carmen Ramos, available on YouTube and iTunesU. 2014 Completed Hispanics Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

Carving Myths Out of 

History: The Dying 

Tecumseh

Gallery talk by curator Karen Lemmey, joined by R. David 

Edmunds, Watson Professor of American History at the University 

of Texas at Dallas and author of Tecumseh and the Quest for 

Indian Leadership, to discuss the Shawnee war chief and the 

myth and memory of this sculpture, once displayed in the U.S. 

Capitol.

10/9/2013 Completed Native Americans Public Program - 

Gallery Talk

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM What is Latino about 

American art? 

Lecture by E. Carmen Ramos, curator for Our America exhibition 10/25/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Day of the Dead Family Day event to celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the 

Dead) 11/2/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program - 

Family Day Event

Program 

Diversity

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Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SAAM

Defining and Defying 

Latino Art: A 

Conversation with Five 

Artists

Panel discussion moderated by Our America exhibition curator E. 

Carmen Ramos, with five participating artists: Elia Alba, Maria 

Martinez-Canas, Miguel Luciano, Amalia Mesa-Bains, and Jesus 

Moroles.

11/7/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

Impossible Closure: 

Susan Meiselas and the 

Nicaraguan Revolution

Lunchbag lecture by Terri Weissman, Assistant Professor, 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The lunchbag lecture 

series, open to the public, is co-organized by the Smithsonian 

American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the 

Archives of American Art.

11/14/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

Between Worlds: Black 

Feminist Artists in the 

African Diaspora

Lunchbag lecture by Nikki Greene, Assistant Professor, Wellesley 

College. The lunchbag lecture series, open to the public, is coorganized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National 

Portrait Gallery, and the Archives of American Art.

11/21/2013 Completed African Americans Pubic Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Art and Performance 

Asian/America

Symposium held in association with the American Studies Annual 

Conference, Visual Culture Caucus and hosted by American Art 

Museum and National Portrait Gallery.

11/22/2013 Completed Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Public Program - 

Gallery Talk

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Our America (Gallery 

Talk) 

Gallery tour led by exhibition curator E. Carmen Ramos 12/11/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program - 

Gallery Talk

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

James Renwick Alliance 

Distinguished Artist 

Talk with Sonya Clark

Lecture by internationally renowned Afro-Caribbean fiber artist 

Sonya Clark. 1/9/2014 Completed African AmericansHispanics

Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

Metaphorical 

Indigenous 

Landscapes: Rosa 

Bonheur, Cyrus Dallin, 

and US-Indian 

Relations, ca. 1889

Lunchbag lecture by Emily Burns, Assistant Professor of Art 

History, Auburn University. The lunchbag lecture series, open to 

the public, is co-organized by the Smithsonian American Art 

Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Archives of American 

Art.

1/31/2014 Completed Native Americans Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Inocente

Film screening and panel discussion. This 2012 Academy Award 

winning short film is a coming of age documentary about the 

determination of a teenage artist who struggles as a homeless 

and undocumented immigrant.

2/27/2014 Completed Hispanics Public Program - Film 

and Panel discussion

Program 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SAAM Ruben Salazar: Man in 

the Middle

Premier of PBS documentary by Phillips Rodriguez that tells the 

story of the life and death of prominent Civil Rights-era journalist 

Ruben Salazar, killed in 1970.

2/27/2014 Please choose one: Hispanics Public Program - Film 

and Panel discussion

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

The Boom and the 

Brand: The Emergence 

and Rise of the Latin 

American Art Auction 

House Market, 1979-

1991

Lunchbag lecture by Taina Caragol, Curator for Latino Art and 

History, National Portrait Gallery. The lecture explores the 

beginnings of the new York-based secondary market for the art of 

Latin American and its impact in reinforcing the category of Latin 

American art and its canon. The lunchbag lecture series, open to 

the public, is co-organized by the Smithsonian American Art 

Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Archives of American 

Art.

4/17/2014 Completed Hispanics Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

The Boom and the 

Brand: The Emergence 

and Rise of the Latin 

American Art Auction 

House Market, 1979-

1991

Lunchbag lecture by Taina Caragol, Curator for Latino Art and 

History, National Portrait Gallery. The lecture explores the 

beginnings of the new York-based secondary market for the art of 

Latin American and its impact in reinforcing the category of Latin 

American art and its canon. The lunchbag lecture series, open to 

the public, is co-organized by the Smithsonian American Art 

Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Archives of American 

Art.

4/17/2014 Please choose one: Hispanics Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

“‘Forget It’: Native 

Artists and the U.S. 

Pavilion of the Venice 

Biennale, 1932-2012”

Lunchbag lecture by Jessica Horton, Smithsonian Post Doctoral 

Fellow. The lunchbag lecture series, open to the public, is coorganized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National 

Portrait Gallery, and the Archives of American Art.

4/24/2014 Completed Native Americans Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

“Pan-American 

Modernism and 

Cosmopolitan 

Primitivism: 

Covarrubias, De Zayas, 

Tablada, and Tamayo 

in New York 1920-45”

Lunchbag lecture by Fabiola Martinez-Rodriguez, Terra 

Foundation Senior Fellow, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 

and Assistant Professor of Art History, St. Louis University, 

Madrid. The lunchbag lecture series, open to the public, is coorganized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National 

Portrait Gallery, and the Archives of American Art.

5/29/2014 Completed Hispanics Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

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SI 

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Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SAAM

James Renwick 

Alliance's Distinguished 

Lecture Series: artist 

talk with Akio Takamori

Lecture by professor and ceramic sculptor Akio Takamori

6/1/2014 Completed Asian Americans Public Program - 

Lecture

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Nam June Paik Birthday 

Celebration

Gallery talk, with Curator Michael Mansfield and electronic 

musician and sound artist Steven Vitiello, in honor of Paik's 

influence on the art world.

8/1/2014 Completed Asian Americans Public Program Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Hispanic Heritage 

Family Festival

Program presented by SAAM in collaboration with NPG, the 

Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, and the 

Smithsonian Latino Center, with support from the Latino 

Initiatives Pool.

9/13/2014 Completed Hispanics Public Program Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

Our America: The 

Latino Presence in 

American Art

Exhibition organized by E. Carmen Ramos, curator of Latino art. 

Presents more than ninety works of art across all media by 

significant Latino artists active from the 1950s to today, and gives 

voice to their broader American experience. Drawn entirely from 

the Smithsonian American Art Museum's permanent collection, 

the exhibition explores how Latino artist shaped the artistic 

movements of their day and recalibrated key themes in American 

art and culture. Show travels to 7 additional venues: The Patricia 

and Phillip Frost Art Museum (Miami, FL), Crocker Art Museum 

(Sacramento, CA), Utah Museum of Fine Arts (Salt Lake City, UT), 

Arkansas Art Center (Little Rock, AR), Delaware Art Museum 

(Wilmington, DE), Hunter Museum of American Art 

(Chattanooga, TN), and Sioux City Art Center (Sioux City, IA)

10/25/2013-

3/2/2014 , with 

travelling shows at 7 

additional venues 

from 2013 through 

October 15, 2017

In-progress Hispanics Exhibition, 

Publication 

Program 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SAAM

Latino Americans: 

"Peril and Promise" 

(1980-today)

Exhibition organized by E. Carmen Ramos, curator of Latino art. 

Presents more than ninety works of art across all media by 

significant Latino artists active from the 1950s to today, and gives 

voice to their broader American experience. Drawn entirely from 

the Smithsonian American Art Museum's permanent collection, 

the exhibition explores how Latino artist shaped the artistic 

movements of their day and recalibrated key themes in American 

art and culture. Show travels to 7 additional venues: The Patricia 

and Phillip Frost Art Museum (Miami, FL), Crocker Art Museum 

(Sacramento, CA), Utah Museum of Fine Arts (Salt Lake City, UT), 

Arkansas Art Center (Little Rock, AR), Delaware Art Museum 

(Wilmington, DE), Hunter Museum of American Art 

(Chattanooga, TN), and Sioux City Art Center (Sioux City, IA)

10/25/2013-

3/2/2014 , with 

travelling shows at 7 

additional venues 

from 2013 through 

October 15, 2017

Completed Hispanics Public Program - Film 

Screening

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

American Art in 

Dialogue with Africa 

and its Diaspora

International Symposium. This two day symposium examines the 

role of Africa and its diaspora in the development of the art of the 

United States, from nineteenth-century portraiture to American 

modernism; from the Harlem Renaissance to the contemporary 

art world. Speakers included: Chicka Okeke-Agulu of Princeton 

University, Krista Thompson of Northwestern University, Jeffrey 

Stewart of the University of California, Santa Barbara, CelesteMarie Benier of the University of Nottingham, James Smalls of 

the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and artist and 

distinguished scholar David C. Driskell. This is the fourth of five 

Terra Symposia on American Art in a Global Context, supported 

by a generous grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Symposium was webcast and talks are available via podcasts, 

ArtBabble, YouTube, and ITunesU.

10/4/2013-

10/5/2013 Completed African Americans Public Program - Symposium

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

A Measure of the 

Earth: The Cole-Ware 

Collection of American 

Baskets

Exhibition celebrating the generous gift of 79 baskets to the 

Museum by noted collectors Steven R. Cole and Martha G. Ware. 

The baskets, made between 1983 and 2011, demonstrate the 

indigenous, African and European basket weaving traditions in 

the United States.

10/4/2013-

12/8/2013 Completed African Americans
Native Americans Exhibition, Publication

Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SAAM Latino Art Now!

Conference held in conjunction with the exhibition Our America!: 

The Latino Presence in American Art. Co-organized with the 

Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Inter-University Program 

for Latino Research, and the Smithsonian Latino Council. Brought 

together artists, curators, collectors, scholars, writers, museum 

professionals and students to discuss range of pertinent topics 

impacting the Latino art field. The conference was videorecorded.

11/7/2013-

11/9/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Programming - Symposium

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

African American Art: 

Harlem Renaissance, 

Civil Rights Era, and 

Beyond

Exhibition organized by Virginia Mecklenburg, chief curator.

Presents a selection of paintings, sculptures, prints, and 

photographs by 43 black artists who explored African American 

experience from the Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights 

era and decades beyond. All 100 art works are drawn from the 

Smithsonian American Art Museum's permanent collection.

Show was accompanied by a exhibition catalog written by 

Richard J. Powell; a series of public programs and an educational 

website: Oh Freedom! Teaching African American Civil Rights 

through American Art at the Smithsonian. The exhibition 

travelled to 6 additional venues and is on national tour through 

September 21, 1914. Additional venues included: Muscarelle 

Museum of Art (Williamsburg, VA), Mennello Museum of 

American Art (Orlando, FL), Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, MA), 

Albuquerque Museum of Art (Albuquerque, NM) Hunter Museum 

of American Art (Chattanooga, TN) and Crocker Art Museum 

(Sacramento, CA)

4/27/2012-

9/3/2012, with 

national tours 

through 9/21/2014

In-progress African Americans Exhibition, 

Publication, Website

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Internship Summer 

Program Diversity Stats

For Summer Program, achieved diversity rate of 30%. Of 13 

interns, 4 were of minority status, including 1 African-American; 1 

Asian-American; 1 Afro-Hispanic American and one Latino 

American.

6/1/2014-8/1/2014 Please choose one:

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Internship Program Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Internship Program 

Diversity Stats

SAAM intentionally recruits for diversity. For Fall/Spring 

Advanced Level Program, achieved diversity rate of 17-20%, 

including 2.5% Native-American; 7.5% African-American; 91% 

Female, 5% Hispanic, 5% Asian-American.

9/1/2013-ongoing In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Internship Program Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Fellowship Program 

Diversity Stats

Gender: 74% female; 26% male; Race: 82% Caucasian; 18% Asian 

American; Ethnicity: 12% Hispanic 9/1/2013-ongoing In-progress Asian Americans

Hispanics Fellowship Program Workforce 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SAAM Art Signs 

Ongoing series of Gallery talks for Deaf Visitors in American Sign 

Language (ASL), usually held twice a month 9/2/2013-ongoing In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Public Program - 

Gallery Talk

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM Untitled: The Art of 

James Castle

This exhibition, curated by Nicholas Bell, the Fleur and Charles 

Bresler Senior Curator of American Craft and Decorative Art, 

highlights the museum's recent acquisitions of Castle's works.

Castle was born profoundly deaf. Exhibition catalog forthcoming.

9/26/2014-

2/1/2015 Please choose one: Individuals with Disabilities Exhibition, Publication

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM George Catlin's 

American Buffalo

Touring exhibition and related book by Adam Duncan Harris. 

George Catlin was among the earliest artists of European descent 

to travel beyond the Mississippi River to record what he called 

"the manners and customs" of American Indians, painting scenes 

and portraits from life. His intention was to document these 

native cultures before, as he feared, they were irrevocably 

altered by settlement of the frontier and the mass migrations 

forced by the Indian Removal Act of 1830. In chronicling the 

lifeways of Plains Indian cultures, he captured the central 

importance of the buffalo in the daily lives of American Indian 

tribes, from food and shelter to ceremony and naming. This 

show which debuted at the National Museum of Wildlife Art 

(Jackson Hole, WY), travelled to 6 additional venues: Palm Springs 

Art Museum (Palm Springs, CA), Wichita Art Museum (Wichita, 

KS), C.M. Russell Museum (Great Falls, MT), Mennello Museum of 

American Art (Orlando, FL), Reynolda House Museum of Art 

(Winston-Salem, NC) and Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum 

(Canyon, TX).

May 10, 2013-

through August 30, 

2015

In-progress Native Americans

Exhibition and 

Publication

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM The Particulars pf Post 

identify

Series of short commentaries/essays on the particulars of postidentify (Black, Indian, Chicano) by Jessica L. Horton and Cherise 

Smith. Published in the museum's journal American Art, Spring 

2014 (Vo. 28, no. 1).

Spring 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Publication Program 

Diversity

USHAC SAAM

“Reimagining the 

Movement: Beyond 

the Art of Negro 

Advancement at the 

Interior Building, 1937-

1948”

New perspective by Sarah A. Butler published in museum's 

journal American Art, Summer 2014, vol. 28, no. 2, pg. 70-87.

Summer 2014 Completed African Americans Publication Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Barrientos Scholarship 

Foundation Keynote

SLC Director delivered keynote for the annual gala of the 

Barrientos Scholarship Foundation. Named after a leading, 

musical family that played a foundational role in the 

development of South Omaha’s Mexican community, the 

Foundation grants scholarships to deserving Latino and Latina 

college students attending universities in Nebraska. Attendance: 

300

10/10/2013 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

From Merengue to 

Dembow & 

Merenhouse: 

Collecting Dominican 

Music in America

Presented in partnership with the National Museum of American 

History (NMAH) and the Dominican Studies Institute (DSI), the 

Center co-hosted a public program about preserving and 

collecting stories and object about the Dominican music scene. 

This program was held in a public housing complex in Harlem. 

Attendance: 75

10/11/2013 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Public Program Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Latino Museum 

Professional 

Networking Event

The Center held a Latino Museum Professional Networking Event 

at the Mexican Cultural Institute. Presented in partnership with 

the Latino Network of the American Alliance of Museums, the 

event served as a regional mixer for Latinos working in museums, 

archives, and other cultural institutions. This event also 

overlapped with the Latino Partnership Forum. Attendance: 75; 

Contacts gained: 34 The Latino Center hosts these networking 

events at least once a year to connect Latinos working in cultural 

institutions across the D.C. metropolitan region.

11/4/2013 Completed Hispanics

Events w/ 

Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Lubaraún

The Center screened Lubaraún at the National Museum of the 

American Indian (NMAI) in partnership with the Embassy of 

Nicaragua. This documentary highlighted the cultural recovery 

and preservation of memory in Garifuna communities in 

Nicaragua and Honduras, and was followed by a Q&A with the 

film’s directors and producers. The film was presented as part of 

the ongoing public program series accompanying the Cerámica 

de los Ancestros exhibit, on view through February 1, 2015 at 

NMAI. Attendance: 75

11/12/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Engineering the Inka 

Empire

This day-long symposium featured engineers and scholars of 

Andean culture presenting on Inka engineering and sustainability 

practices. Co-presented with NMAI, it was targeted to multiple 

audiences, including Latino engineering students and 

associations, in anticipation of the upcoming NMAI exhibition on 

the Inka road network. The symposium was webcast live and is 

available on the NMAI website. Live attendance: 150

11/14/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program & 

Webcast

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Smithsonian Teacher’s 

Night

The Smithsonian Latino Center staff participated in the annual 

Teacher’s Night event, this year hosted at the National Museum 

of Natural History, providing participants with Latino Center 

teaching materials and opportunities for student engagement 

with the Smithsonian’s Latino collections. The Center distributed 

500 bags with educational and marketing materials, including the 

10-year Hispanic Heritage at the Smithsonian commemorative 

book. SLC staff highlighted opportunities for school tours and 

educational resources for our current exhibition, Cerámica de los 

Ancestros: Central America’s Past Revealed. Distribution: 500.

11/15/2013 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

On-site promotion of 

Latino Initiatives at 

the Smithsonian

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Symposium: Taíno 

Identity Beyond 

Columbus

Held at the National Museum of the American Indian–New York, 

the George Gustav Heye Center, this symposium featured 

researchers and cultural workers presenting on the Caribbean 

indigenous legacy in the music, religion, language, and medicine 

of the that region. Presented in anticipation of the similarly 

themed exhibit, the symposium was recorded and will soon be 

available online. Attendance: 225

12/14/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Program & 

Webcast

Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Legacy of Arturo 

Schomburg

The Smithsonian Latino Center and the Schomburg Center for 

Research in Black Culture presented a public program honoring 

the legacy of the Puerto Rican-born, New York-based bibliophile 

and intellectual Arturo Schomburg (1874-1938). This program

featured presentations by Fredericka Liggins (Hunter College), 

Adalaine Holton (Richard Stockton College of New Jersey), and 

Frances Negrón-Muntaner (Columbia University), and was 

followed by an onstage discussion and Q&A moderated by Khalil 

Muhammad, Director of the Schomburg Center. ASL 

Interpretation was available for the deaf and hard of hearing.

2/27/2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Public Program & 

Webcast

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Bless Me Ultima: Movie 

Screening

The Smithsonian Latino Center celebrated Women’s History 

Month with a screening of Bless Me, Ultima (2013, 106 ́). Set in 

rural New Mexico during the Second World War, the film is an 

adaptation of the critically acclaimed 1972 novel by pioneering 

Mexican-American author Rudolfo Anaya. Capturing the magical 

New Mexican landscape with beautiful cinematography, the film 

explores relationships and tensions between tradition, religion, 

and community. This screening will feature subtitles for the Deaf 

and hard-of-hearing (SDH). Afterwards, there was an onstage 

conversation with legendary Puerto Rican actress Miriam Colón, 

who portrayed Ultima, National Portrait Gallery curator Taína 

Caragol, and the audience. ASL interpretation of the onstage 

conversation was available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

3/3/2014 Completed Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities Public Program Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Latino Literature 

Discussion with 

Gallaudet University

The Smithsonian Latino Center facilitated a discussion on U.S. 

Latino Literature with students from Gallaudet University. The 

discussion will engaged student’s coursework on the U.S.-Mexico 

Border as well as their attendance to the Latino Center’s 

screening of Bless Me, Ultima. ASL interpretation was provided 

by the university for discussion. Attendance: 7

3/13/2014 Completed Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Program with local 

university

Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC

Jazz Appreciation 

Month Latin Jazz 

Concert with Bobby 

Sanabria

As part of the Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month, the Latino 

Center along with the National Museum of American History, the 

Anacostia Community Museum and George Washington 

University presented Latin jazz legend Bobby Sanabria and 

Quarteto Aché. The concert was dedicated to the late Marvette 

Pérez (1961-2013) who was a curator at American History 

specializing in Latin music. Attendance: 361

4/1/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Public Program & 

Webcast

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Latin Jazz Workshop 

with Bobby Sanabria 

and Quarteto Aché

On April 4 the Latino Center and American History co-hosted a 

workshop for students and educators as part of the Institution’s 

Jazz Appreciation Month. The workshop included a conversation 

with Professor Alejandro Lucini of the George Washington 

University to discuss the work, career and musical influences of 

Latin jazz musician Bobby Sanabria. Attendance: 142. 

4/1/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

School Program & 

Webcast

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

A Celebration of 

Memory: Maria 

Rodriguez

The students and families from the LAMB Public Charter School 

and the Smithsonian Latino Center hosted a musical tribute to a 

legendary D.C. musician and educator. Also known as Jean Butler, 

Maria Rodríguez (1926-1998) lived near LAMB, and was one of 

the first people to play Latin music in Washington, DC. A master 

of classical music and jazz, Maria lovingly taught several 

generations of young musicians and singers, including Pepe 

González. Pepe González y los Magníficos played music and 

shared memories about this important community leader.

4/10/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Program with local 

charter school

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Association of Asian 

American Studies & 

University of California 

at Berkeley Symposium

SLC Director participated in a panel discussion titled “Curating 

Race and Indigeneity in Public Culture: Museums, 

Representation, and Community Engagement,” on April 18in 

Berkeley, CA along with Smithsonian Asian Pacific American 

director Konrad Ng. Ng and Díaz also presented at the conference 

of the Association of Asian American Studies in San Francisco. 

4/18/2014 Completed Asian Americans

Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC

Early Childhood 

Bilingual Education 

Workshop

Emily Key, SLC Education Manager, represented the Latino Center 

at this workshop on April 25 at the Department of Education 

headquarters here in D.C., which included the dissemination of 

information about bilingual literacy and English language skill 

building through activities and community engagement. 

4/25/2014 Completed Hispanics

Professional 

Development 

Workshops

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Entre 

Mundos/Between 

Worlds: Salvadoran 

Digital Stories of 

Transnational 

Migration

On May 3, the Smithsonian Latino Center and the University of 

Maryland-College Park presented a student-led program that 

combined digital media with live performance to share stories 

from the third-largest Latino community in the U.S.—Salvadoran 

Americans. Attendance: 130

5/3/2014 Completed Hispanics

Virtual Programming

Public Program with 

local University & 

Webcast

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Space Day Family 

Program

On May 3 the Latino Center hosted its ¡Descubra! Meet The 

Science Expert series to promote STEM for youth by showcasing 

Latino role models at the National Air and Space Museum's Space 

Day Family Program. The sessions included interactive 

presentations, videos, demonstrations as well has hands-on 

activities. The day also featured astronaut Joe 

Acaba. Attendance: 28,470

5/3/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Latino Museum 

Workers Night Out

The Latino Center held a Latino Museum Professional Networking 

Event in D.C. on May 6. The event was a partnership with the 

Latino Network of the American Alliance of Museums, and served 

as a regional mixer for Latinos working in museums, archives, and 

other cultural institutions. Attendance: 75.

5/6/2014 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

American Alliance of 

Museums Latino 

Network Luncheon 

Keynote

Eduardo Díaz, Director, and Ranald Woodaman, Director of 

Exhibitions and Public Programs, both presented during a 

luncheon for the AAM Latino Network regarding issues in Latino 

Museum Community work. The annual meeting boasted more 

than 4,500 attendees from over 50 countries and included 160 

sessions from 250+ exhibitors. Luncheon attendance: 46 

5/19/2014 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC

Immersive Education’s 

Arts and Culture 

Council Presentation

On June 6 Melissa Carrillo, Latino Center director of New Media 

and Technology participated in the Immersive Education 

Initiative’s Arts and Culture Council at the J. Paul Getty Museum. 

She, along with Smithsonian colleagues Isabel Meyer, 

OCIO, Taína Caragol, NPG, and Alyssa Reiner, OCON, shared 

dynamic cultural practices that redefine traditional methods of 

presentation and documentation as well as approaches to 

collection and preservation. They also discussed challenges facing 

museums today around issues of authority, authenticity, 

digitization, ownership, social networking, materiality, 

virtualization and user-generated content. 

6/6/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

The Latino Presence at 

the Smithsonian: 

Twenty Years After 

"Willful Neglect"

On June 19, the Smithsonian Latino Center and the Smithsonian’s 

Latino Working Committee organized a program for Smithsonian 

employees commemorating the 20th anniversary of the report 

“Willful Neglect: The Smithsonian Institution and U.S. Latinos.” 

The program reflected on the efforts of the Institution over the 

last two decades to represent the Latino experience in its 

research, collections, exhibitions, public and educational 

programs and online and digital resources. Latino Center Board 

Chairman Gilberto Cárdenas was a speaker along with 

Smithsonian Under Secretary of History, Art, and Culture Richard 

Kurin, SLC Director Eduardo Díaz and Smithsonian staff Evelyn 

Figueroa, Olivia Cadaval, Sulema Castro and Omar EatonMartinez. Attendance: 80

6/19/2014 Please choose one: Hispanics Internal Staff Program

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Inti Raymi Festival of 

the Sun at NMAI

On June 21 the Latino Center partnered with American Indianto 

offer hands-on activities for the Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun 

celebration as part of the museum’s Peruvian festival. 

Attendance: 5,324

6/21/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

We Share STEM! 

Connecting Across 

Cultures with NASMHazy

On May 3 the Center hosted its ¡Descubra! Meet The Science 

Expert series to promote STEM for youth by showcasing Latino 

role models at the We Share STEM! Heritage Family Day at the 

National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. 

The sessions included interactive presentations and 

demonstrations by NASA Scientists as well has hands-on activities 

by the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers. 

8/2/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Salvadoran-American 

Day

The Smithsonian Latino Center was a sponsor and participant of 

the COTSA (Comunidades Transnacionales Salvadoreñas 

Americcanas) 5th Annual Salvadoran-American Day Festival in 

Wheaton, MD. The festival brings together local leaders, elected 

officials, the business community, community and sports 

organizations, as well as the local community together over food, 

music, and information about important community programs 

and resources. The Latino Center had an outdoor booth for 

community outreach and promotion of the Cerámica de los 

Ancestros Exhibition on display at the National Museum of the 

American Indian as well as Latino Center programs and initiatives. 

Latino Center staff, Young Ambassadors Program Alumni, and 

Latino Museum Studies Program Alumni, actively engaged with 

the local Salvadoran community by sharing Smithsonian Latino 

Center resources, such as Cerámica de los Ancestros Activity 

Reader, and sharing with them the Center's work.

8/3/2014 Completed Hispanics Community Outreach Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Hispanic Heritage 

Month Family Day 

Festival Celebrating 

Portraiture Now: 

Staging the Self

Bring the whole family to the Smithsonian’s kickoff celebration of 

Hispanic Heritage Month! Held in conjunction with the exhibition, 

Portraiture Now: Staging the Self, the day includes musical 

performances, interactive arts and crafts demonstrations and 

activities, storytelling, gallery tours, a special display of creative 

work by Fairfax County Family Literacy Program families, and 

more. This Family Day is coordinated by the Smithsonian Latino 

Center, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian American Art 

Museum, and the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital 

Access in collaboration with the Hirshhorn Museum and 

Sculpture Garden and the Smithsonian Heritage Month Steering 

Committee.

9/13/2014 In-progress Hispanics Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Zoo Fiesta at the 

National Zoo

On September 21, the Center will host its ¡Descubra! Meet The 

Science Expert series to promote STEM for youth by showcasing 

Latino role models at the Zoo Fiesta Day at the National 

Zoological Park. The sessions will interactive presentations and 

demonstrations by Latino Scientists. The Latino Center will also 

have hands-on activities relating to Cerámica de los Ancestros: 

Central America's Past Revealed, the Center's exhibition on 

display at the National Museum of the American Indian.

9/21/2014 In-progress Hispanics Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Latino Collecting Talk 

at the Historical Society 

of Washington D.C.

Leaders from the local DC Latino community will come together 

to discuss the ongoing efforts to tell the story of the Latino 

community in the DC Metropolitan region. Chaired by John Suau, 

Executive Director of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 

the panel will address different initiatives in the local D.C. 

community to collect and preserve Latino culture. Ranald 

Woodaman, Exhibitions and Public Programs Director, 

Smithsonian Latino Center, will discuss the Latino D.C. History 

Project and its evolution from an institutionally focused and 

exhibition-driven project to a more collaborative project that 

seeks to engage with community and institutional networks to 

support memory work and historical preservation locally. Jose 

Gutierrez, Founder of the Latino GLBT History Project and 

Washington, DC Latino Pride will discuss the mission, objectives 

and programs of the Latino GLBT History Project, and the history 

of the DC Latino LGBT community including the first gay bars, the 

Miss Gay Hispanic contests and the first DC Latina Drag Queens. 

Alberto Roblest, HolaCultura.com founder and editor, will talk 

about the mission as a nonprofit arts and humanities 

organization that focuses on local Latino culture, and our 

upcoming web-documentary, "El Barrio," about the history of 

Washington’s Hispanic community. Roxana Olivas, Director of 

the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, will discuss the city’s efforts 

to raise awareness of problems faced by the Latino community. 

This panel is free and open to the public.

9/27/2014 In-progress Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC CHCI Arts and Culture 

Reception

Reception co-hosted by the Smithsonian Latino Center, National 

Portrait Gallery, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, 

Inc. celebrating Latino Arts and Culture during CHCI's annual 

public policy conference. This year, the reception will highlight 

Portraiture Now: Staging the Self exhibition of contemporary art 

by Latino artists.

9/30/2014 In-progress Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Cultural Identity 

Workshops

Melissa Carrillo, Director of New Media & Technology, and Emily 

Key created and presented a cultural identity workshop, 

Exploring Cultural Identity in the Age of the Digital Surrogate, at 

the Gala Theater as part of the Día de los Muertos Online Festival. 

The workshop was comprised of group discussion and hands on 

activities exploring cultural identity through the modern lens of 

avatars (three-dimensional character representations) and 

hashtags. A panel of guests addressed key themes surrounding 

cultural signifiers, symbolism and myths. The workshop also 

highlighted SLC’s signature Day of the Dead scholarly research 

and digital collections and was webcast through LVM. Both 

Howard University and UTEP students attended. Attendance: 80 

(live and virtual)

10/30/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Cultural Expressions: 

Investigate and Learn

The Center has been conducting outreach to our 1st- 12th grade 

audiences through our Cultural Expressions school program In 

the Field: Investigate and Learn. This workshop teaches students 

about field research methods and tools, investigation, and the 

scientific research process through the fields of archaeology and 

anthropology and an exploration of current Smithsonian Latino 

and Latin American-themed initiatives and collections. This 

workshop highlights and includes an interactive gallery walk-thru 

of our latest exhibition at the National Museum of the American 

Indian, Cerámica de los Ancestros: Central America’s Past 

Revealed. Total attendance (Jan 19-March 31): 140 students

01/19/14 - 

03/31/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

On-site school 

programs

Program 

Diversity

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Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC

Cerámica de los 

Ancestros: Central 

America's Past 

Revealed

This bilingual (English/Spanish) exhibition illuminates Central 

America’s diverse and dynamic ancestral heritage with a selection 

of more than 160 objects. For thousands of years, Central 

America has been home to vibrant civilizations, each with 

unique, sophisticated ways of life, value systems, and arts. The 

ceramics these peoples left behind, combined with recent 

archaeological discoveries, help tell the stories of these dynamic 

cultures and their achievements. Cerámica de los Ancestros 

examines seven regions representing distinct Central American 

cultural areas that are today part of Belize, Guatemala, 

Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. 

Spanning the period from 1000 BC to the present, the ceramics 

featured, selected from the museum’s collection of more than 

12,000 pieces from the region, are augmented with significant 

examples of work in gold, jade, shell, and stone. These objects 

illustrate the richness, complexity, and dynamic qualities of the 

Central American civilizations that were connected to peoples in 

South America, Mesoamerica, and the Caribbean through social 

and trade networks sharing knowledge, technology, artworks, 

and systems of status and political organization. This exhibition is 

a collaboration of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the 

American Indian and the Smithsonian Latino Center.

03/14 - 02/15 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Exhibition Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Latino Museum Studies 

Program

The Center’s Latino Museum Studies Program concluded on 

August 1, and now boasts over 260 program alumni since the 

program was launched in 1994. This year 11 graduate students 

from several states spent five weeks meeting with Smithsonian 

staff, participating in panel discussions, visiting museums and 

research centers, and exploring collections and archives. A 

portion of the program was dedicated to providing a three and a 

half week internship at a Smithsonian museum to further 

development of a specific Latino project or initiative. The Latino 

Center partnered, for a third consecutive year, with the National 

Trust for Historic Preservation to offer an additional internship . 

The participating fellows specialized in the following areas: Latino 

studies, museum studies, art history, historic preservation, 

cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, and cultural and arts 

administration.

06/30/14 - 

08/01/14 Completed Hispanics

Leadership 

Development 

Program

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

National Council of La 

Raza Annual 

Conference and Family 

Expo

Latino Center director Eduardo Díaz and staff that included Adrian 

Aldaba, Gina Flores, Emily Key and Danny López traveled to Los 

Angeles to participate in NCLR’s annual Family Expo. They were 

joined by Smithsonian colleagues Omar Eaton-Martinez 

(American History) and Maria Anderson (Smithsonian Office of 

Communications and External Affairs) in addition to Young 

Ambassador Program alumni from the LA area as well as 

representatives from LA’s Latino Theater Company, La Plaza de 

Artes y Cultura and the Museum of Latin American Art. 

Throughout the Expo Center staff interacted with the public and 

shared current and upcoming programs and initiatives.

07/19/14 - 

07/21/14 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Asian Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC 2014 Young 

Ambassadors Program

The Smithsonian Latino Center's Young Ambassadors Program 

(YAP) is a national program for graduating high school seniors 

that fosters the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, 

sciences, and humanities via the Smithsonian Institution and its 

resources. YAP is a college preparatory and leadership program 

that encourages participants to explore various academic and 

career opportunities through the lens of the Latino experience.

Our ninth program began on June 23 in Washington, D.C. with 22 

students who demonstrated interest and commitment to the 

arts, sciences, or humanities as it pertains to Latino communities. 

They participated in a weeklong all-expenses paid 

interdisciplinary training seminar in Washington, followed by a

four-week internship at a preselected museum or cultural center 

in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. 

07/23/14 - 

08/01/14 Completed Hispanics

Leadership 

Development 

Program

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Portraiture Now: 

Staging the Self

Opened on August 22 at the National Portrait Gallery, this 

bilingual exhibition was the first effort at the Portrait Gallery to 

raise awareness of the Latino population’s long presence in the 

U.S. and its contributions to our history and contemporary 

culture. This exhibit will investigate the process through which 

identity is constructed in portraits, presenting the work of artists 

of Latino background. The Smithsonian Latino Center is a partner 

in this project and has assisted by directing funds toward 

exhibition research and for the curatorial position of Taína 

Caragol.

08/22/14 - 

04/12/15 In-progress Hispanics Exhibition Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC

Hispanic Association of 

Colleges and 

Universities 

Conference

In late October, the Smithsonian Latino Center collaborated with 

several SI units (OEEMA, OFI, OHR, and NMAH) to present at this 

year’s Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Annual 

Conference in Chicago, IL. The Center distributed materials and 

engaged with prospective program participants and interns at the 

Smithsonian exhibitor booth. With Smithsonian colleagues, The 

Latino Center also presented on a standing room only panel, 

“Smithsonian Institution Partnerships with Higher Education: 

How we can work together to build opportunities for aspiring 

Latino professionals.” A Young Ambassador alumnus and current 

employee of the Art Institute of Chicago, presented on his 

experience with YAP and internships experiences throughout his 

undergraduate career.

10/26/2013 - 

10/28/2013 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USHAC SLC

Fifth Annual Día de los 

Muertos Online 

Festival

SLC celebrated Día de los Muertos with its yearly online festival in 

the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum (LVM) in Second Life to a 

record breaking online audience. Presented in partnership with 

the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP), this year’s festival 

featured altars dedicated to Smithsonian Latina curator Marvette 

Pérez, boxer Hector Macho Camacho, musician Eddie “La Bala” 

Pérez, singer Eyde Gorme, World War I veteran Marcelino Serna, 

and Chicano scholar and author Gloria Anzaldúa. Live art, music, 

and cultural performances from artists and writers throughout 

the country were featured including artist/writer Xánath Caraza. 

This year, the festival took on a new life as it expanded into a 

variety of social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, 

Instagram, UStream, and Tumblr. SLC’s online Day of the Dead 

educational, bilingual resources were heavily accessed during this 

time. Attendance: 54,665 (Second Life avatar interactions) 

Initiative occurs annual and is scheduled for Fall 2014.

10/31/13-11/02/13 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Latino Partnership 

Forum

Co-sponsored with Smithsonian Affiliations (SA), the Center 

hosted the Smithsonian’s first Latino Partnership Forum, 

welcoming directors from Latino and Latino-serving museums 

and cultural centers, many of them SI affiliates, to receive 

updates from the field, review current and future SI programs, 

tour Cerámica de Los Ancestros and Our America exhibitions, and 

explore potential future collaborations. The new Smithsonian 

Latino curators also participated, and Secretary Clough delivered 

welcoming remarks. Emily Key presented on the Center’s 

education programs and projects, including the Young 

Ambassadors Program. She also moderated a roundtable 

brainstorming national education programs and collaborations 

with the various museums represented at the forum. 

Attendance: 12

11/04/13-11/06/13 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Latino Museum 

Directors Meeting

Scheduled to coincide with the Latino Partnership Forum, the 

Center co-sponsored a Latino Museum Directors Meeting with 

Smithsonian Affiliations (SA) and the National Museum of 

Mexican Art. We welcomed 11 directors from Latino museums to 

advance a dialogue on the role of Latino museums in community 

engagement and development strategies. The group also heard a 

presentation on NMAL by Estuardo Rodríguez of the Friends of 

NMAL. We were joined by representatives of the Institute of 

Museum and Library Services, Gil Cárdenas, and María Rosario 

Jackson, leading urban planning and cultural development 

consultant and member of the National Council on the Arts. 

Attendance: 15

11/06/13-11/07/13 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Latino Art Now! 

Conference

The Latino Art Now! Conference was held at SAAM and the 

National Museum of the American Indian in early November. This 

conference, which featured scholars from multiple fields 

interpreting Latino art, was organized with the Inter-University 

Program for Latino Research, SAAM, and SLC to overlap with the 

exhibition Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art. 

Artists, curators, collectors, scholars, writers, museum 

professionals and students converged to discuss a range of 

pertinent topics impacting the Latino Art field, many of which 

also correlated to the themes addressed in Our America. This 

conference was video recorded and will be made available on the 

SLC website. Attendance: 300

11/07/13-11/09/13 Completed Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

USHAC SLC Career Center 

Conference

Emily Key moderated a panel at the Smithsonian’s Career Center 

Conference, promoting diverse internships both at the Center 

and on various SI Latino-themed projects. Gina Flores, Senior 

Advancement Officer, also presented at the “Internships turn into 

Jobs” panel. Attendance: 150

Fall 2013 Completed Hispanics Career Counseling

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USHAC SLC Alcanzemos Alumni 

Mentor Days

Qtr. 1: In our efforts to continually engage both our Young 

Ambassador Program alumni and local communities across the 

nation, the Center held several activities this season as part of its 

Alcanzemos alumni community outreach initiative. Alumni 

returned to the Harvey Mudd College Upward Bound Program in 

Los Angeles for a college awareness community outreach event. 

A YAP ’08 almumna represented the Young Ambassadors, hosting 

a discussion about the college application process, the life of a 

college student, and the opportunities provided by education. 

She also included a spotlight of the Young Ambassadors Program 

to high school student participants.

Two YAP ‘13 alumni hosted a similar discussion for students at 

the San Marcos High School Academies of Arts and 

Communications, Health and Human Services, and Applied 

Sciences. Attendance: 100 students

Qtr. 2: We are continuing to reach out into local communities, 

promoting education for our future leaders by engaging YAP 

Alumni as community mentors providing guidance to Latino 

youth regarding available educational opportunities. YAP ‘ 13 

alumni have continued to host Student Mentor Events at four 

high schools across Southern Texas presenting on YAP internships 

and discussing the importance of leadership development and 

the college experience. In addition, several YAP alumni have 

assisted in distributing information about 2014 YAP to their 

former high schools and community organizations. Total 

Attendance: approx. 108 students

In-progress Hispanics Career Counseling

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USS MCI

The Centre for Doctoral 

Training in Science and 

Engineering in Art 

Heritage and 

Archaeology (SEAHA) 

program.

Over the next 8 years will train a minimum of 60 doctoral 

students in heritage science and engineering. A unique feature of 

their training will be the tripartite supervision we will be 

developing, with students benefiting from the support of experts 

in universities, industry and cultural institutions to advance the 

knowledge and skills base of the cultural heritage sector. 

November 22, 2013 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

International Program

Professional Training

Memorandum of 

Understanding

Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS MCI

The Institute for the 

Preservation of Cultural 

Heritage (IPCH) at Yale 

University 

Support of joint research projects; Support of joint seminars, 

workshops and other scientific meetings; Support of preparatory 

visits for planning and formulating joint research projects and 

seminars in the final stage; Support of consultative and research 

visits designed to link together complementary research carried 

out in both countries. Support for international travel for 

exchange of students and scholars. 

August 28, 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Memorandum of 

Understanding 

Program 

Diversity

USS MCI MCI Fellowships and 

MCI Internships

MCI Fellowships and Internships are announced thru various 

sources that target diverse audiences.

Conservation Distribution List- reaches over 10,000 people in 92 

countries;

Museum-L –reaches over 4000 people and gets picked up and 

redistributed.

American Institute of Conservation Of Historic and Artistic Works 

(AIC) reaches over 3500 people in 20 countries. NOBCChE 

(National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black 

Chemists and Chemical Engineers)http://www.nobcche.org

AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering 

Society)http://www.aises.org

ASEE (American Society for Engineering 

Education)http://www.asee.org

SWE (Society of Women Engineers)http://www.swe.org

SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional 

Engineers)http://www.shpe.org

SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos & Native 

Americans in Science)http://www.sacnas.org

AAAEA (Arab American Association of Engineers and 

Architects)http://www.aaaea.org

October 1, 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Professional Training Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

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Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS MCI

REU Site: Research 

Experiences for 

Undergraduates in 

Archaeological and 

Museum Conservation 

Science at the 

Smithsonian Museum 

Conservation Institute.

This is a three-year NSF Research Experience for 

Undergraduates. (REU) project awarded to MCI Research 

Scientist Christine France and six MCI senior personnel in 

2012. The grant supports short-term opportunities for 

undergraduates to work on research projects with MCI’s scientific 

staff. Over the three years the program has hosted 28 science 

interns. Intern projects are in areas of staff specialization such as 

museum studies, art history, archaeology, paleontology, 

chemistry, biochemistry, biology, ecology, earth science, 

chemical engineering, and materials science engineering with a 

focus on museum and research collections. The program includes 

a weekly training seminar that provides additional educational 

opportunities to the interns. The PI and an intern participated in 

the Council on Undergraduate Research’s annual Research 

Experiences for Undergraduates Symposium, Arlington, VA, in 

October 2013.

Mar 2012-Feb 2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Professional Training Program 

Diversity

USS MCI

IUMAS award called 

the Early Career 

Scholar award was 

initiated by Ed Vicenzi. 

Sixteen young 

scientists from Japan, 

China, Korea, Brazil, 

Canada, Australia and 

Europe were selected 

to attend the meeting.

Ed Vicenzi served as the Chair for meeting of the International 

Union of Microbeam Analysis Societies-IUMAS (a confederation 

of 8 microanalysis societies around the globe including: Australia, 

Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Korea, Japan, and the United 

States), titled IUMAS-6, held in conjunction with M&M 2014 in 

Hartford, CT, August 2014, and organized a symposium “Imaging 

and Analysis of Cultural Heritage Materials.” As part of the 

conference he initiated a new IUMAS award called the Early 

Career Scholar award and sixteen young scientists from Japan, 

China, Korea, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and Europe were selected 

to attend the meeting.

August 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

International Program for 

Americans and NonAmericans

International 

Conference

Program 

Diversity

USS NASM Women in Aviation and 

Space

Northrop Grumman Heritage Family Day Series: From a hurricane 

hunter to a NASA astronaut, visitors heard tales of 

adventure. There was a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of 

Jerrie Mock’s round the world trip—she was the first woman to 

successfully fly around the world solo. 

March 15, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NASM Kites of Asia

Northrup Grumman Heritage Family Days Series: This event 

featured a pan-Asian static display of kites and indoor kite 

flying. In addition to the kites, we also chose an Asian country or 

region to highlight through music and dance. This year the 

featured regions were Nepal and India. The Nepal Dance School 

performed, gave dance lessons, and did interactive musical 

presentations. 

March 22, 2014 Completed Asian Americans Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USS NASM

Explore the Universe 

Day: Everyone Looks 

Up

Northrup Grumman Heritage Family Days Series

For this event the focus is on how people across cultures look at 

the sky. Through hands-on activities visitors learned about 

astronomy from historic and recent cultures across the 

globe. They could hear stories from around India and other parts 

of Asia. In addition they had a chance to “meet” Galileo. This year 

there was also a new astronomer to meet—Phoebe Waterman 

Haas. After doing thorough research, a local actress portrayed 

Mrs. Haas. She had visitors all ages looking through a vintage 

telescope and exciting them about astronomy. 

April 12, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USS NASM

We Share STEM! 

Connecting Across 

Cultures

This event will highlight the contributions of scientist and 

engineers in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and 

Math) professions across cultures, from Juan de la Cierva, the 

inventor of the Gyroplane, to Dr. George Carruthers, the inventor 

of the first Moon-based observatory. There will be bilingual 

activities and story times. 

August 1, 2014 Planned

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USS NASM Women in Aerospace

Northrup Grumman Heritage Family Days SeriesThis event will focus on the 

accomplishments of women in aviation and space—from the days of early 

flight to the present. We are working with local universities and other 

organizations to ensure that there are plenty of career role models for our 

younger visitors. We are welcoming back the Science Cheerleaders. These 

are current and former NFL and NBA cheerleaders who are either pursuing 

advanced degrees or who have careers in engineering or science. Last year 

the Science Cheerleaders brought their citizen science project, Project 

MERRCURI to the Museum. This year they are working with NASA on 

another exciting project. For more information about Project MERCURRI 

read the NASM blog post, Germs in Space.

September 13, 2014 Planned

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

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Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NASM African American 

Pioneers in Aviation

Northrop Grumman Heritage Family Day Series

: The stars of the 

event are always the Tuskegee Airmen, who have huge crowds 

thrilling to their stories. Each location also featured a NASA 

astronaut. Stephanie Wilson at the Museum in DC and Jeanette 

Epps at the Hazy Center. 

February 8, 2014 

(NMB); February 22, 

2014 (UHC)

Completed African Americans Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USS NASM Internship Program

NASM intentionally recruits for diversity. For 2014--3 Asian 

Americans; 4 African Americans; 18 Caucasian; 8-non-selected;

23 Females; 10 Males; 1 hearing and mobility impaired.

June 2, 2014-August 

8, 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Internship Program Program 

Diversity

USS NASM

Hispanic Heritage 

Month: Innovators in 

Air and Space

Northrup Grumman Heritage Family Days Series in partnership 

with the Latino Center. The October 5, 2013 program was 

cancelled due to the government shutdown.

October 5, 2013 

(NMB)-Completed; 

September 27, 2014 

(UHC)

Planned Hispanics Family Day Program Program 

Diversity

USS NASM Explainer Program

The NASM Explainer Program is funded with grants to support 

the How Things Fly Gallery, the Haas Public Observatory, and 

programming at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Explainers are 

intermittent high-school & college employees. They must be

enrolled in school to be an explainer. The Education Department 

purposefully maintains a diverse staff for gender and ethnicity.

On-going In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Explainer Program Workforce 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Cesar Chavez High 

School for Public Policy 

mentoring

Mentor students from inner city high school 

with students predominantly underrepresented in science 

and natural history research. 

8/14/2014 - 

11/14/2014 Completed Hispanics

Science 

mentoring/Internship

Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH Project SEARCH interns 

and hires

Three NMNH staff members hosted 2 Project SEARCH interns for 

3 months each rotation. One of them, Zachary Lynch was hired 

on as a part-time federal staff Office Automation Clerk. 

 

Sept 2013 thru 

Present In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Workforce Diversity Workforce 

Diversity

USS NMNH Yakutat Seal Camps 

Project (Arctic Studies)

Participation in archaeological, ethnological, and oral historical 

fieldwork, as well as lab work in Anchorage by at least 25 

Tlingit/Eyak/Ahtna Alaska Natives including elders, seal hunters, 

students, videographer, and tribal council members. We had an 

additional audience of about 20 for a community presentation 

about the project in Yakutat in July.

May 19-August 8, 

2014

Native Americans

Collaborative 

Research with Native 

Alaskan Communities

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Unangax Collaboration 

on Kunstkamera Aleut 

Collections

Following collaborative research with the Kunstkamera 

ethnological museum in Russia, the Arctic Studies Center 

(Anchorage) collaborated on research and writing with two 

Unangax Alaskan Native Community Scholars to be published as 

part of the Kunstkamera Aleut collections catalogue.

October 2013 to 

May 2014 Completed Native Americans Community Collaboration

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

"Listen and Learn" 

Language Videos and 

Bilingual Curricula

The Arctic Studies Center (Anchorage) completed 18 "Listen and 

Learn" language videos and bilingual curricula in both Inupiaq 

and St. Lawrence Island Inupiaq, involving collaboration and 

editing with 3 language translators and educators (2 Inupiaq and 

1 Yupik). Part of endangered language/knowledge work with 

indigenous communities.

October 2013 to 

September 2014 Native Americans

Recovering 

Voices/Endangered 

Language 

Revitalization

Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH Smithsonian Spotlight: 

Anchorage Museum 

The Arctic Studies Center (Anchorage), on the first Thursday of 

each month, brought 10 Alaskan Native artists and scholars to 

discuss their work with visitors at the Anchorage Museum (where 

the Anchorage branch of the Arctic Studies Center is based).

FY 2014 Native Americans Outreach Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Dene Quill Art Artist's 

Residency (Arctic 

Studies Center, 

Anchorage)

Athabascan artists and 8 visiting Native Alaskan artists and 

community artists were in residence to study collections and 

demonstrate their art at the Anchorage Museum (where the 

Anchorage office of the Arctic Studies Center is based). 

October 7-11, 2013 Completed Native Americans

Outreach and 

Engagement

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Innu Nation Cultural 

Heritage (Arctic Studies 

Center)

On-going collaborative archaeological and cultural heritage 

management programs with members of the Innu Nation in 

Labrador, Canada. This summer's fieldwork (September-October) 

in the barren lands of extreme northern Quebec-Labrador 

brought Innu community leaders and environment managers into 

the country to work with archaeologists to explore the nature 

and consequences of a specialized caribou hunting subsistence 

strategy.

Ongoing In-progress Native Americans Cultural Heritage Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Greenland Inuit Youth - 

Film Introduction and 

Performance

A group of Greenland Inuit youth from an Inuit rehabilitation 

center came to NMNH as part of a program to introduce a new 

film, INUK, and they gave music and dance performances and 

participated in a museum education session in

Q?RIUS.

March 2014 Completed Native Americans

Outreach and 

Education

Program 

Diversity

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH

Barbareño Chumash 

Visit (Recovering 

Voices)

Six community researchers from the Barbareño Chumash 

community carried out research for one week at the National 

Anthropological Archives on the J.P. Harrington material. Funded 

by Recovering Voices Community Research Fund

April 2014 Completed Native Americans

Recovering Voices 

Endangered 

Language/Knowledge 

Revitalization

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Samoan Tapa Project

Tapa, a traditional cloth made from the mulberry tree, is part of 

the foundational anthropology collections (Wilkes Expedition) of 

NMNH. Two traditional Samoan tapa makers worked for a 

month on NMNH's 19th-century tapa collection, restoring and 

repairing the tapa cloth using traditional techniques and 

materials. Funded by the Recovering Voices Community 

Research Fund.

June 2014 Completed Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Cultural Heritage Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Kiowa Material Culture

Six member of the Kiowa tribe came to work for one week on the 

fan and regalia collections at NMNH and NMAI. Funded by the 

Recovering Voices Community Research Fund. 

Native Americans Cultural Heritage Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Songs of the Purari 

Delta

Two Papua New Guineans from the Papuan Gulf came to work for 

two weeks with curator Joshua A. Bell at NMNH on song 

traditions.

June 2014 Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Cultural Heritage Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Documentation and 

Revitalization: 

Language and 

Traditional Ecological 

Knowledge of the 

Didxazá-speaking 

Community

Active engagement of under-represented scholars from Mexico 

through collaborative research projects in documenting and 

revitalizing both the language and the traditional ecological 

knowledge of the Didxazá-speaking community. (Recovering 

Voices)

Summer 2014 Completed Hispanics

Endangered Language 

Documentation and 

Revitalization

Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH

Central Council Tlingit 

and Haida Tribes of 

Alaska

Repatriation consultation with the Tlingit and Haida tribes of 

Alaska.

Native Americans Repatriation Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Smithsonian Institute 

in Museum 

Anthropology (SIMA)

SIMA is a research training program offered by the Department of 

Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum 

of Natural History with major funding from the Cultural 

Anthropology Program of the National Science Foundation. The 

program seeks to promote broader and more effective use of 

museum collections in anthropological research by providing a 

supplement to university training. Four of the 12 students were 

Native American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 

and Hispanic/African American,

June 23-July 18, 

2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Research Training 

Program

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Project SEARCH interns 

and hires

Darrin Lunde, John Ososky, Brian Schmidt (all NMNH) hosted a 

Project SEARCH intern for one three-month rotation.

SeptemberNovember 2014

Individuals with Disabilities

African Americans museum internship Workforce 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Repatriation: To 

Hoonah Indian 

Association, Alaska 

(Tlingit)

Return of Native American remains and objects.

Oct. 24-27,2014 Native Americans Repatriation Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with 

Tlingit in Juneau, AK

Consultation on the repatriation process for the return of human 

remains and objects.

Oct. 27, 2014 Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Tlingit Repatriation 

Consultation

Repatriation Consultation with the Dakl'aweidi clan and the 

Deshetan clan of the Tlingit.

Nov. 6-10, 2014 Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with the 

Kiowa Tribe

Consultation on the possible repatriation of human remains 

and/or objects to the Kiowa tribe.

November 21,2013 Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Repatriation to the 

Tule River and Santa 

Rose Rancherias

The return of Native American remains and objects to the Tule 

River Rancheria and the Santa Rose Rancheria.

Nov. 20-21, 2013 Native Americans Repatriation Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with the 

Gila River Indian 

Community and the 

Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian 

Community

Repatriation consultation with the Gila River Indian Community 

and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with the 

Muscogee Creek 

Nation

Repatriation Consultation with the Muscogee Creek Nation Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with the 

Wiyot Tribe

Repatriation Consultation with the Wiyot Tribe Jan. 8-10,2014 Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with the 

Confederated Tribes of 

the Umatilla Indian 

Reservation

Repatriation consultation with the Umatilla.

Jan. 27-28, 2014 Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH United South and 

Eastern Tribes Meeting

Repatriation consultation with members of the Seminole tribe, 

the Muscogee Creek Nation, the Alabama Coushatta tribe, the 

Catawba Nation, the Wampanoag Tribe, the Mississippi Band of 

Choctaw, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town (Creek) and the Poarch Band 

of Creek Indians.

Feb. 3-5, 2014 Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Supplier Diversity at 

the SMSFP 

Of nineteen contractors selected to provide facility services for 

the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce during fiscal year 

2014, sixteen were awarded to small business sources with six of 

these businesses also being woman owned. The proportion of the 

facility budget awarded to small businesses was 91 percent and 

25 percent of the total budget was awarded to woman owned 

businesses.

October 1, 2013 to 

September 30, 2014 Completed

Contractor sources 

selected from small 

and woman owned 

businesses when 

available. 

Supplier 

Diversity

USS NMNH

YES! Youth 

Engagement through 

Science

A 16-week internship program for high school sophomores, 

juniors, and seniors from the Washington, D.C. region. During the 

program, students get practical experience through a research 

internship with Smithsonian science staff, take exclusive behindthe-scene tours and field trips, participate in a college 

preparatory program, and create an outreach project for 

communicating science to peers through interactive activities. 

June 2014 - 

November 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Mentoring/Internship 

& Community 

Engagement

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

EYES Early Youth 

Engagement through 

Science

A 5-day program that provides support to Latino middle-school 

students, as well as students from populations traditionally 

underrepresented in STEM careers, during the critical years in 

which they either engage with or dismiss science as a lifelong 

interest or viable career path. The EYES program provides 

students with unprecedented access to the expertise, people, 

and resources of NMNH as a way to spark interest in science, 

through behind-the-scene tours, workshops with science staff, 

fun activities, and field trips.

August 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Programs to 

Students, Career 

Exposure

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 90
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH Q?Crew

A teen volunteer program for students grades 9 - 11 from the 

Washington, DC metro area. Members of the Teen Volunteer 

Program help museum visitors with interactive activities that 

focus on natural history topics in our new Q?rius learning space. 

Volunteers receive extensive training that introduces them to 

museum scientists, takes them behind-the-scenes, and covers 

topics ranging from museum education to scientific content 

related to Q?rius activities and programs. After completing 

training, participants will be able to work towards their 100 hour 

community service requirement in Q?rius! 

December 2013 - 

December 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Programs to 

Students, Community 

Engagement, Career 

Exposure

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Teen Art + Science 

Workshops

A partnership with the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture 

Garden's ArtLab+ that creates workshops for teens that integrate 

proven ARTLAB+ technologies and formats with NMNH 

collections, scientists, equipment, and other science resources. 

Workshops integrate art and science design thinking skills with 

innovative technology to create new ideas and ways of exploring 

the world. 

September 2014 

(Ongoing) In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Programs to 

Students, Career 

Exposure

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Turning The Page Night 

at the Museum Family 

Night

In partnership with the non-profit, Turning the Page, NMNH 

hosted a Family Night in Q?rius for 150 middle school students 

from three DCPS schools - Kramer Middle School, Raymond 

Educational Campus, and Hart Middle School. The event 

consisted of a career panel with Smithsonian scientists, 

interactive activities in Q?rius and Scientist Is In programs where 

students got to speak one on one with scientists about their 

work. The event aimed to spark interest in science and science 

careers and encourage students to utilize museum resources to 

pursue their interests.

February 26, 2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics

Career Fairs

Community 

Engagement

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 91
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH CHISPA

CHISPA, which stands for Children Investigating Science with 

Parents and Afterschool, is a 4-year project funded by the 

National Science Foundation. It was launched this year with 

the goal of sparking young peoples' interest in science and 

support that interest holistically. Focusing on Latino families, 

CHISPA aims to serve the whole learning ecosystem of a K-5 

student, providing resources and training for parents to support 

their students' interest and exploration of science, providing 

afterschool activities for students at their local community-based 

organization, and engaging the entire family in museum 

activities. NMNH is one of 11 national program partners.

June 1, 2014 In-progress Hispanics

Community 

Engagement, 

Programs to Students

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Environmental Film 

Festival 

2014 Festival’s focus on “Our Cities, Our Planet” celebrated the 

development of sustainable and resilient cities, exploring their 

natural and built environments as they seek to meet 

environmental and economic needs. 

March 22-23; March 

28-30 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Community 

Engagement, Adult 

Engagement 

Programming, Public 

Programs

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Smithsonian Channel 

Documentary 

Premieres at NMNH 

This program draws upon the high demand and interest in 

environmental and cultural film. The films in the series feature 

natural history-themed Smithsonian Channel documentaries. 

Each premiere screening precedes the documentary air date by a 

few days and features SI/NMNH researchers and talent from the 

documentary, whether it is the director, filmmaker, on-screen 

personality, etc.

 

June 6, 2014 

(Launched) In-progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Asian Americans

Community 

Engagement, Adult 

Engagement 

Programming, Public 

Programs, Programs 

to Students 

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 92
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH

Anthropocene: Life in 

the Age of Humans 

Series

This series engages NMNH’s local adult audience in topics related 

to the Smithsonian Consortia’s Living in the Anthropocene 

initiative while simultaneously helping to inform the 

Anthropocene section of the National Fossil Hall/Deep Time 

exhibition. By inviting both NMNH and outside speakers to 

present and hosting this monthly series in an intimate, 

conversational setting, the design of the program is to bring 

people new perspectives on their relationships with the 

environment. The underlying message of the series is that it is 

important to be informed, to think inclusively, and to be oriented 

towards shaping the world we want.

September 2014 

(Launched) In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

Community 

Engagement, Adult 

Engagement, 

Programs to Students

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 9: Paleobotany: Climate Change Past and 

Present with Scott Wing June 5, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 8: Volcano Geochemistry: Windows to Earth's 

Interior with Elizabeth Cottrell

May 15, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Asian Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 7: Exploring the Unexplored: Deep Reef 

Biodiversity with Carole Baldwin April 24, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 93
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 6: Measuring Biodiversity: Life in One Cubic 

Foot with Chris Meyer April 10, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 5: Human Evolution: Early Human Diets with 

Briana Pobiner March 27, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 4: Anthrpod Adaptations: Inside the Insect Zoo 

with Dan Babbitt March 13, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 3: Forensic Anthropology: Bone Whispering 

with Kari Bruwelheide February 27, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 94
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

Season 1, Episode 2: Forensic Ornithology: Bird Detective with 

Carla Dove February 12, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Smithsonian Science 

How

A live webcast series that puts Smithsonian experts into 

classrooms across the US and even internationally. All content 

aligns with national science standards are aired live from the 

Q?rius theater. Season 1, Episode 1: Unearthing Fossil Whales 

with Nick Peyenson

January 16, 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Virtual Programming

(Webcast)

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH La Vida de Los Insectos

A Spanish-language accessibility program celebrating Hispanic 

Heritage Month with the Insect Zoo. The program offered our 

live tarantula feeding programs in Spanish at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 

and 1:00pm. Spanish speaking volunteers supported the program 

by leading hands on activities and crafts. Visitors also took part in 

a special self-guided tour in Spanish of our Latin American 

arthropods, and learned about Central and South American 

butterflies. 

September 20, 2014 Completed Hispanics Foreign Language 

Accessibility

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH YES! Global Genome 6-week genomic program for underserved high school juniors. June 24 - August 1, 

2014 Completed Hispanics

Career Counseling

Mentoring/Internship

, Community 

Engagement

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 95
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH

American Sign 

Language (ASL-) 

Interpreted Programs

An ASL-interpreter is provided for programs, such as a Story Time 

in Q?rius Jr: A Discovery Room or a Tarantula Feeding 

Demonstration in the Insect Zoo. Program with access service is 

publicized to the Deaf community.

 

December 7, 2013; 

December 14, 2013; 

July 25, 2014; 

September 6, 2014

Individuals with Disabilities

Accessibility and 

Community 

Engagement

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH Morning at the 

Museum

An SI-wide program for families with children who have cognitive 

and sensory-processing disabilities that is hosted at NMNH 1-2 

times a year via the Accessibility Office and SI Autism Advisory 

Committee. Eligible families are welcomed into the Museum 1 

hour before opening so that children can experience select 

exhibitions before crowds and other multi-sensory 

overstimulation occur. There are stamping and cart activities 

available, and AV is kept off until the Museum opens to the 

public. 20-30 families attend each time.  

January 25, 2014 Completed Individuals with Disabilities

Accessibility and 

Community 

Engagement

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with the 

Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of 

Oklahoma

Repatriation consultation with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of 

Oklahoma Feb. 18-19,2014 Native Americans Repatriation 

Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Native American 

Community Scholars 

Grant: Project on 

Traditional Pueblo 

Textiles

Two community scholars from the Pueblo of Santa 

Domingo/Pueblo of Cochiti and the Pueblo of Santa Clara worked 

with the textiles from Pueblos in the Anthropology collections. 

Feb. 24-28, 2014 Native Americans Community scholars 

grant-funded project

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 96
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation with the 

White Earth Chippewa 

Tribe

Repatriation Consultation with the White Earth Chippewa Tribe Mar. 24, 2014 and 

April 22-24, 2014 Native Americans Repatriation Consultation

Program 

Diversity

USS NMNH

Native Village of 

Chuathbaluk, Alaska: 

Repatriation

The return of human remains to the Native Village of 

Chuathbaluk. Community members traveled to NMNH for the 

repatriation.

April 21-22, 2014 Native Americans Repatriation Program 

Diversity

USS NZP NZP Diversity 

Committee

The mission of the National Zoo’s Diversity Committee is to foster 

an environment that is inclusive and, at all levels of the 

institution, to promote diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, 

socioeconomic status, age, sex, gender identity/expression, 

sexual orientation, and other differences in culture, background 

and identity. We will also inspire learning and discovery about 

diverse cultures and nature; develop respectful student-centered 

programs in various departments in the zoo; and identify and 

recruit appropriate and diverse student interns to enhance their 

understanding of, and abilities in, conservation biology, zoo 

management, and supporting sciences and disciplines. 

FY14 In-progress Hispanics

African Americans

To inspire learning 

and discovery about 

diverse cultures and 

nature; 

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 97
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NZP YES Summer Internship 

Program

YES! 2014 Internship: Five high school interns (all under-represented 

minorities) completed the 6 week Zoo Program this summer. The 

participating units were as follows: Lion/Tigers; DAH (WHS); Small Mammal 

House; Bird House; Giant Pandas/Asia Trail. The interns completed their 

tour of duty with a Science Fair Presentation about their experiences at the 

National Zoo. During their time at the Zoo they received hands on 

experience working in the Animal Care Sciences profession, such as 

endangered species management; reproductive physiology; animal 

behavior; animal nutrition; public education and much more. They also had 

the opportunity to visit our research campus in Front Royal, Virginia the 

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) campus and were given 

the opportunity to see and learn about some of the endangered species 

that the Zoo saved from the brink of extinction, such as, the black-footed 

ferret. In addition, they also had the opportunity to see the SCBI/George 

Mason University Campus there in order to get the students interested in 

college opportunities after graduating from high school. Lastly, we very 

fortunate to have one our colleagues from the Fish and Wildlife Service 

(Ms. Veronica Caceres) come to the Zoo to talk to the interns about current 

fieldwork initiatives and conservation projects for the sea-turtle. This is the 

fourth year that the National Zoo has collaborated with the National 

Museum of Natural History.

ummer 2014 (6 weeks Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Five high school 

interns (all underrepresented 

minorities) completed 

the 6 week Zoo 

Program this 

summer. 

Program 

Diversity

USS NZP USDA Interns

Hosted 6 interns – 4 African American / 1 Native American / 1 

Caucasian – that worked an 8 week program this summer. 

Participants worked at Asia Trail / Cheetah Conservation Station 

& Elephant House / Small Mammal House / Reptile Discovery 

Center / Great Ape House / Great Cats. The internships focused 

on animal husbandry and in some cases students worked on 

specific projects at the discretion of their supervising curator. In 

the case of the Great Cats intern – the student worked on a 

developing a poster for presentation that focused on a project 

that NZP has been working on for several years: Determining 

pregnancy using weight.

Summer 2014 Completed African Americans

Native Americans

The internships 

focused on animal 

husbandry and in 

some cases students 

worked on specific 

projects at the 

discretion of their 

supervising curator. 

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 98
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NZP

Northern Cheyenne 

Reservation Basketball 

Camp

Here were 100-120 attendees this year divided into two groups, 6-

12 year olds and 13-18 year olds. This is the fourth year that 

Animal Keeper Marty Dearie has worked with the organization 

which gives these young American Indians the opportunity to 

work with students and instructors from outside of the 

reservation. The program is geared towards providing the 

students with the opportunity to learn about nutrition; healthy 

living; increased self-esteem; and to learn about educational 

opportunities inside and outside of the reservation. In addition, 

the program aims to curb the high rates of alcoholism, drug 

addiction, and suicide.

FY14 Completed Native Americans

The program is 

geared towards 

providing the 

students with the 

opportunity to learn 

about nutrition; 

healthy living; 

increased selfesteem; and to learn 

about educational 

opportunities inside 

and outside of the 

reservation. 

Program 

Diversity

USS NZP • Morning at the Zoo 

Event

The Smithsonian Institution's Accessibility Program and the 

National Zoo are collaborating to create the First Morning at the 

Zoo event on October 18, 2014. The program is aimed at giving 

individuals with cognitive or sensory processing disabilities the 

ability to enjoy the Zoo's Asia Trail and Giant Panda Habitat prior 

to it being opened to the general public. 

10/18/2014 Completed Individuals with Disabilities

The program is aimed 

at giving individuals 

with cognitive or 

sensory processing 

disabilities the ability 

to enjoy the Zoo's 

Asia Trail and Giant 

Panda Habitat prior 

to it being opened to 

the general public.

Program 

Diversity

USS NZP National Zoo Social 

Narratives

Animal Keeper Melba Brown created several Social Narratives in 

the Park which is designed specifically for individuals with 

cognitive disabilities and their families to prepare for a Zoo 

visit. In addition, she has created a new Social Narrative for the 

Giant Panda Habitat for our general audience and for the 

upcoming Morning at the Zoo Event in October. 

FY14 Completed Individuals with Disabilities

Creation of Social 

Narratives in the Park 

which is designed 

specifically for 

individuals with 

cognitive disabilities 

and their families to 

prepare for a Zoo 

visit.

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 99
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NZP UDC Outreach

NZP Director's Office and Advancement Department involved 

with conversations UDC on a joint diversity initiative. Working 

with counterparts at UDC NZP is writing some background and 

ideas for them to discuss in a group meeting. 

FY14 In-progress Individuals with Disabilities

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Project SEARCH 

Animal Keeper Melba Brown remains active in Project SEARCH. In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Internships Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Here to Career Intern & 

Fellow Event

Veterinary Technician Cinthia Erickson (former intern) participated 

in SI’s 3rd Annual Here to Career Intern and Fellow Event where 

she participated in a panel and spoke about how she became a 

Smithsonian employee. 

FY14 Completed Career Counseling Program 

Diversity

USS NZP School Outreach

Animal Keeper Gwen Cooper works in a program with the Cooper 

Lane Elementary School in PG County. The makeup of students at 

the school is approximately 50% Hispanic, 25% African 

American/Asian and 25% white.In April 2014, there were 60 kids 

from Cooper Lane who came out to the Zoo and went to different 

areas and learned about being a zookeeper.

April 2014 Completed Asian Americans

Hispanics

Outreach to 

elementary school.

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 100
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NZP AZA Diversity 

Committee

Hospital Manager Tangara Cross served on the Association of 

Zoos and Aquariums Diversity Committee and attended the 

Annual AZA conference Diversity Committee meeting.

August 2014 Completed

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Hispanics

Asian Americans

African Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Minority Awards 

Program-Internship

Head Veterinarian Suzan Murray and Hospital Manager Tangara 

Cross worked with an international African student to apply for 

this internship so she could assist with PREDICT/USAID while in 

her under-grad program. 

Summer 2014 Completed African Americans Minority Internship Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Wildlife Health 

Sciences Preceptorship

Hosted several domestic and international students to participate 

in the 2014 preceptorship studies program. FY14 Completed African Americans Preceptorship Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Hosting of 

International Students

NZP Wildlife Health Sciences Unit hosted Kat Reed, University of 

Melbourne student, Marisa Lourenco from Portugal, Izzy Hirji 

from Canada, and Diego Recinos, Ross University (Caribbean).

FY14 Completed Outreach & hosting of 

international students

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 101
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NZP Science Fair 

Veterinary Technician Veronica Acosta judged for the science fair 

at the CentroNia DC Bilingual Public Charter School. Summer 2014 Completed Hispanics

Asian Americans Outreach to schools Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Career Fair

Veterinary Technician Veronica Acosta participated in a career day 

event for the entire 8th grade class at Saunders Middle School in 

Manassas, VA.

Spring 2014 Completed

Asian Americans

African Americans

Hispanics

Career Fairs Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Career Fair Veterinary Technician Veronica Acosta participated in a career 

day at Jefferson High School in SW DC. Spring 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Career Fairs Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Career Counseling Veterinary Technician Veronica Acosta counseled a student from 

East Harlem on a career as a Veterinary Technician. Spring 2014 Completed African Americans Career Counseling Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 102
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NZP Career Counseling

Tameka Phillips was the invited speaker at University of Illinois at 

Urbana-Champaign for the Research Apprentice and Young 

Scholars in Agriculture programs.

Fall 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Community Outreach

Tameka Phillips participated in community outreach at a local 

church summer program where she spoke to preschool age 

children and their parents about animals at the National Zoo.

Summer 2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Outreach to youth Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Minority Internships 

Tameka Phillips supervised and mentored two minority interns 

living in homeless shelters or transitional homes. Spring 2014 Completed African Americans Minority Internship Program 

Diversity

USS NZP Career Fair

Dan Weinwurm arranged for NZP to participate in the 2014 

Eleanor Holmes Norton Job Fair at the Washington Convention 

Center on August 20, 2014 (Athena Mylonas and Juan Rodriguez 

represented NZP at this fair).

8/20/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 103
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS NZP Career Event

Friends of the National Zoo's Department of Education and 

Volunteer Services hosted a career event on 6/26/14 for high 

school, college and post-graduate students considering a career 

in the field of wildlife conservation or animal health to discuss 

what it takes to keep the hundreds of animals at the National Zoo 

healthy. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and 

gather advice from representatives of the Zoo’s Wildlife Health 

Sciences unit and Department of Animal Nutrition. The panel 

included Erin Kendrick, Marilyn Small, Dr. James Steeil and Dr. 

Tim Walsh.

6/26/2014 Please choose one:

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling Program 

Diversity

USS SERC

Training the Next 

Generation of 

Scientists

SERC recruits Postdoctoral Fellows and Undergraduate Interns for 

a rigorous program of Professional Training in Environmental 

Science and Education. Although the program does not 

specifically target underrepresented groups, we do make an 

effort to assure that we are recruiting from a broad array of 

institution, including HBCUs, Native American institutions, etc. 

(statistics of applicant pool and successful candidates being 

compiled - report will be amended to include these).

Jan 2014 - May 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Professional Training

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

USS STRI

 Professional 

development 

workshop for 

indigenous teachers of 

Comarca Ngabe Bugle

The Indigenous Comarca Ngabe Bugle is in the high lands of 

Panama. 35 teachers of Otoe Hill School participated in the 

training. Due to the distance from the city from this indigenous 

town and to the lack of materials and equipment, these teachers 

participated in professional development workshop not very 

often. The indigenous comarca Ngabe is one of the poorest areas 

of the country. Most of the students abandoned the school very 

soon; the access to the basic education is limited so it is very hard 

to break the circle of poverty. The workshops were delivered 

by Lidia Valencia, educational specialist of STRI and Adriana 

Sautu, from the education department of the Biomuseo, recently 

opened and associated to Smithsonian Institution.

July 28th and 29th, 

2014 Completed Hispanics

Native Americans Training for teachers

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 104
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

USS STRI

"Teaching through 

investigation and 

classification of 

organisms for teachers 

from the Province of 

Colon"

30 teachers from remote communities of Costa Arriba and Costa 

Abajo of Colon arrived at Galeta Marine Laboratory form STRI, to 

participate in a workshop organized by the Ministry of Education 

and STRI, entitled "Teaching through investigation and 

classification of organisms". The training was from Lidia Valencia, 

STRI's Education Specialist, and Yadira Esquivel, Science 

Supervisor from the Ministry of Education of Colon. The main 

objective of the activity was to raise the level of science 

knowledge among teachers in the public schools of the province. 

10/23/2014 Completed Hispanics

School teachers 

training

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Meeting with 

representatives from 

University of Texas, 

Pan-American

Discussion about how SI and UT-Pan American might cooperate 

to bring more UT Pan-American students to SI to do internships 

and fellowships.

10/2/2013 Completed Hispanics

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Remarks to the Interns 

with the Hispanic 

Association of Colleges 

and Universities 

(HACU) DC Program

Delivered remarks to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and 

Universities (HACU) DC internship program participants about SI 

academic appointment opportunities and career advice.

10/11/2013 Completed Hispanics Career Counseling Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI 2013 Smithsonian 

Career Center Fair

Partnered with NMAH to produce the 2nd Annual Smithsonian 

Institution Career Fair, which highlighted academic appointment 

opportunities to an audience of career center professionals.

12/4/2013 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Remarks to Students at 

University of Maryland 

Baltimore County 

(UMBC)

Spoke to students, including those participating in the Meyerhoff 

Scholars Program, at UMBC about academic appointment 

opportunities at SI.

2/24/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Career Counseling Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 105
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS OFI Visit to Hood College Remarks to Students at Hood College in Frederick, MD about SI 

academic appointment opportunities.

3/20/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Peace Corps Career 

Conference

OFI Represented SI at a Peace Corps Volunteer Hiring Conference 

convened in Washington DC to highlight academic appointment 

and job opportunities.

4/10/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics 

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Meeting with Students 

from the University of 

Albany

OFI served on a career panel offering advice to students from the 

University of Albany. This panel also provided an opportunity to 

publicize information about SI academic appointment 

opportunities. 

4/11/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Meeting with Bates 

College

OFI met with representatives from Bates College to determine 

how Bates students might take better advantage of SI Academic 

Appointment opportunities. 

4/17/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Tri-Region Science and 

Engineering Fair (YING)

OFI helped coordinate a visit to SI by 40 students sponsored by 

the Dr. Nelson Ying Tri Region Science and Engineering Fair, a 

program serving the least served counties of Upstate New York.

5/7/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Discussion with 

Whitworth College

Discussion with Whitworth College about initiatives to bring more 

students from Whitworth to the Smithsonian for internships and 

fellowships.

6/24/2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 106
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS OFI

Council on 

Undergraduate 

Research (CUR)

OFI represented SI to promote academic appointment 

opportunities at the Council of Undergraduate Research meeting, 

which convened in Washington, DC on 7/1/14.

7/1/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Meeting with Hispanic 

Association of Colleges 

and Universities 

(HACU) Officials

Participated with OHR in a meeting with officials from the 

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to 

explore ways HACU schools might have stronger participation in 

SI Academic Appointment programs.

7/16/2014 In-progress Hispanics

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

2nd Annual 

Smithsonian Here to 

Career Fair

OFI convened a career fair for academic appointees interested in 

careers in museum fields and at SI in particular, which gave 

students an opportunity to hear career advice from a diversity of 

SI staff and mentors.

7/16/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Conference on Asian 

Pacific American 

Leadership (CAPAL)

OFI Fielded a Booth at the Conference on Asian Pacific American 

Leadership (CAPAL) in Washington, DC on 7/18/14 to help spread 

the word about SI academic appointment opportunities among 

Asian Pacific American community leaders.

7/18/2014 Completed Asian Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Meeting with the 

International 

Leadership Foundation 

(ILF)

Meeting with representatives from the International Leadership 

Foundation (ILF), an organization that supports internships for 

young Asian-American leaders, about how their students might 

take advantages of SI academic appointment opportunities. 

8/1/2014 In-progress Asian Americans

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Meeting with 

Representatives from 

INTRAX

Established working relationship with representatives from 

INTRAX, a State Department certified international student 

exchange agency, to bring foreign interns to the Smithsonian. 

8/13/2014 In-progress

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

American Association 

of State Colleges and 

Universities 

Conference

Delivered remarks at the American Association of State Colleges 

and Universities (AASCU) Conference to highlight academic 

appointment opportunities at the Smithsonian. 

8/17/2014 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 107
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS OFI

Meeting with 

Montgomery 

Community College

Discussion with Montgomery Community College about bringing 

more students to the Smithsonian

8/27/2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Visit to the University 

of Houston

Visit to the University of Houston to discuss partnership 

possibilities that might bring more UH students to SI for the 

purpose of doing internships. 

09/06/2014 In-progress Hispanics

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Historically Black 

Colleges and 

Universities (HBCU) 

Career Development 

Marketplace

OFI represented SI at the Historically Black Colleges and 

Universities (HBSC) Career Development Marketplace, which 

convened in Washington, DC on 11/8/14

11/8/2014 Completed African Americans

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI OFI Resume 

Workshops

Conducted 8 resume workshops in FY14 to offer interns and 

fellows advice about career success. 10/1/13 - 9/30/14 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Project Search

Partnering with OA and the office of the USHAC, OFI has provided 

key support for Project Search, an internship program for young 

adults with cognitive disabilities. OFI support has contributed to 

planning, placements, publicity, orientations, and programing for 

the first year of this program as well as the launch of the 

program's second year starting in the fall of 2014. 

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress Individuals with Disabilities

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Formal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

NSF Undergraduate 

STEM Interagency 

Working Group

OFI represents SI on the NSF Undergraduate STEM Interagency 

Working Group to promote a diversity of college students' 

engagement in STEM related career fields at SI and around the 

nation.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress Interagency Working 

Group

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 108
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS OFI Smithsonian Profiles

Under the leadership of DUSCIS, OFI has partnered with a variety 

of SI stakeholders including SIL to create Smithsonian Profiles, a 

new system which will make accessible an index describing the 

diversity of SI, including diversity related to ethno-cultural affinity 

groups.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Infrastructure Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI The Virtual Student 

Foreign Service

OFI has continued to promote SI's partnership with the 

Department of State through SI participation in the Virtual 

Student Foreign Service (VSFS), a program that makes virtual 

internships accessible to a diversity of Americans interested in 

conducting virtual internships across the Interagency.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Virtual Internships Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI SI Virtual Internships

OFI continues to strengthen the Smithsonian Virtual Internship 

program, which gives access to SI internships to those who may 

not be able to physically relocate to the Smithsonian. 

In FY14 OFI

opened the door, at units' discretion, for stipends to be awarded 

to virtual interns.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress Virtual Internships Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI SI Minority Internship 

Program

OFI continues do manage and strengthen the Smithsonian 

Minority Internship program, which provides stipend support to 

over 15 interns placed around SI every year.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Program

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

SI Native American 

Internship and 

Fellowship Awards

OFI continues to manage and strengthen the SI Native American 

Internship and Fellowship Awards program aimed at raising 

awareness about SI academic appointment opportunities among 

Native American communities.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress Native Americans Program

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI OFI Blog and Social 

Media

OFI maintains an active blog, as well as an active presence on 

social media, to promote academic appointment opportunities 

available across the Institution.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Digital Promotion of 

Academic 

Appointments

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI OFI Newsletter

OFI sends out a weekly newsletter to a diverse audience 

of approximately 20,000 recipients to publicize academic 

appointment opportunities. 

 

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Digital Promotion of 

Academic 

Appointments

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS OFI

The Smithsonian 

Academic Appointment 

Diversity And Publicity 

Taskforce (AADAPT)

OFI had led a group of Pan-SI stakeholders to set and achieve 

goals related to increasing diversity at SI through academic 

appointments. This group meets monthly in the spring/summer 

to plan for conferences in the fall/winter.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI SI Fellowship Review 

Committees

OFI has been taking steps to increase the diversity of those who 

serve on SI Fellowship Review Committees by promoting the idea 

of having current fellows serve as reviewers. By expanding the 

pool of available reviewers, greater diversity is possible.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Program

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI James E. Webb 

Internship

OFI continues to manage and strengthen the James E. Webb 

Internship for Minority Undergraduate Juniors, Seniors, and 

Graduate Students in Business and Public Administration.

10/1/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Program

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Meetings with Officials 

from Florida 

International University 

(FIU)

Ongoing conversations with officials from Florida International 

University (FIU) about establishing partnerships to bring more FIU 

students to the Smithsonian to do internships.

11/13/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress Hispanics

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Meetings with the 

Rodham Institute

Conducting ongoing conversation with the Rodham Institute, a 

non-profit that seeks to increase STEM-H learning among DC high 

school students, about ways to make SI academic appointment 

opportunities available to the students they support.

12/19/13 - 9/30/14 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Gallaudet Interns Placed 3 Gallaudet High School students at OFI, NMAI, and NASM 

as part of the schools senior internship program. 2/15/14 - 5/15/14 Completed Individuals with Disabilities

African Americans

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI American Association 

of Museums

During the American Association of Museums (AAM) meeting 

held in Seattle, WA OFI helped publicize academic appointment 

opportunities to a diversity of museum colleagues.

5/16/14 - 5/21/14 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Workforce 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 110
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS OFI Contract with Arctic 

International

OFI seeks to execute a contract with Arctic International, a small, 

woman owned business, for the purpose of helping non-resident 

alien academic appointees determine residency and tax status. 

 

6/18/14 - 9/30/14 In-progress Contract Supplier 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

SI GLOBE (Gay, Lesbian, 

Bisexual, & 

Transgender 

Employee) affinity 

Group

OFI has participated in recent SI GLOBE meetings towards the 

goal of ensuring that academic appointment opportunities at the 

Smithsonian are inclusive to GLBT applicants.

7/11/14 - 9/30/14 In-progress SI Affinity Groups

Program 

Diversity

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI The Project Search 

National Conference

OFI was represented at the Project Search National Conference 

held in Omaha, NE between 7/22/14 - 7/25/14 to share best 

practices and publicize SI as a Project Search host.

7/22/14 - 7/25/14 Completed Individuals with Disabilities

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

Arlington Alexandria 

Coalition to Help the 

Homeless (AACH)

OFI spearheaded an initiative to place 8 students from families 

being served by the Arlington Alexandria Coalition to Help the 

Homeless into SI internships.

8/1/14 - 8/30/14 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Asian Americans

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Informal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI The Young African 

Leaders Initiative

In cooperation with the Department of State, worked to place 

three young African leaders in internships throughout the 

Smithsonian.

8/7/14 - 9/26/14 Completed

Memorandums of 

Understanding 

Formal

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI

White House 

Historically Black 

Colleges and 

Universities (HBCU) 

Conference

Along with NMAAHC, OFI will represent SI at the WH HBCU 

conference convened in Washington, DC between 9/21/14 and 

9/23/14

9/21/14 - 9/23/14 Planned African Americans

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS OFI Creation of SOFIAA, 

SOLAA 2.0

Working with OCIO, OFI has streamlined electronic systems 

associated with academic appointments to better capture 

appointee demographic data, so that demographic data 

associated with SI interns, fellows, and research associates is 

measureable.

9/30/13 - 10/1/14 In-progress Infrastructure Workforce 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS SIL

Anacostia Community 

Museum Library 

Outreach to Public 

Library

The ACM Librarian’s first full time library job was in an inner city 

urban library in the Tidewater region of Virginia, where he 

interacted with school-age children. On Saturday, December 7, 

the ACM Librarian "returned to his roots," to conduct an hour of 

community outreach with Anacostia's Education Coordinator, 

who runs story time with arts & crafts at the Anacostia 

Neighborhood Public Library on Good Hope Road in Southeast 

Washington, DC. The name of the story time is "Leaders are 

Readers" - a youth book talk. When we immerse ourselves in the 

neighborhood around our library, we can learn a lot about our 

patrons and provide positive role models.

12/7/2013 Completed African Americans Community Outreach Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL

Collection 

Development 

Workshop for Tribal 

Libraries

Great Lakes Culture Keepers, Zibiiwing Cultural Center, Mt. 

Pleasant, MI: Tribal Libraries Archives and Museums Project, 

University of Wisconsin School of Library and Information Studies - 

Elayne Silversmith, NMAI's Librarian, was invited to facilitate a 3-

hour workshop for tribal libraries from Wisconsin, Michigan, and 

Minnesota. Thirteen librarians and technicians learned more 

about collection analysis techniques for small libraries, 

mainstream and small publishers of Native materials, core 

reference for Native public and school libraries, working with 

donated materials and donors, and online resources at the 

Smithsonian Libraries. 

4/14/2014 Completed Native Americans

Conferences 

w/Professional 

Organizations

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL SIL Participates in ACM 

Career Day

SEED schools are boarding schools serving disadvantaged 

students located in Washington, D.C. SEED stands for Schools for 

Educational Evolution and Development. The SEED School of 

Washington, DC is the nation’s first college-preparatory, tuitionfree boarding school. 

On May 22, the ACM Librarian was given 

the opportunity to inspire 36 future librarians. At the ACM Career 

Day, the ACM Librarian gave a lecture to 36 seventh grade 

students from SEED Public Charter School about how exciting it is 

to be a museum librarian. He spoke about the collaboration 

between the museum staff and the library staff and mutual 

professional respect. 

5/22/2014 Completed African Americans Career Fairs

Workforce 

Diversity

Program 

Diversity

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Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS SIL

SIL Outreach to 

Primary School 

Minority Students

AAPG Library accessioned an artist book made by minority 

students from the Bronx’s Co-Op City. Janet Stanley, NMAfA 

Librarian, and I hosted a visit for 50 visitors from Co-Op City on 

July 28, 2014 ranging from grade-school students to seniors. We 

did a brief presentation on the libraries’ collections along with a 

celebration of the book. Janet also arranged a tour of 

NMAfA.

We used our collection and our artists’ book collections 

to provide a way of outreach to both primary school students and 

minority audiences.

7/28/2014 Completed Hispanics

African Americans

Outreach to both 

primary school 

students and minority 

audiences

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL Teach It Forward

Presentation for Washington area history teachers under the 

aegis of the “Teach It Forward” program of NMAH on Friday, 

August 8, 2014. Participants viewed a rare book display of 

featuring highlights of the Dibner Library of the History of Science 

and Technology and discussion about library items and services 

that can be incorporated or used in school curriculum. (Total of 

34 teachers participated, in two groups)

8/8/2014 Completed African Americans

Hispanics

SIL Outreach to 

History Teachers

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL

Teaching About 

American Indians in 

Your K-8 Classroom: 

How to Select 

Children’s Books and 

Talking about Native 

People

Penn State Inter-institutional Consortium for Indigenous 

Knowledge (ICIK) and Penn State American Indian Leadership 

Program: “Teaching About American Indians in Your K-8 

Classroom: How to Select Children’s Books and Talking about 

Native People” - This presentation provided an open and safe 

forum for teachers and students to learn how to effectively teach 

about American Indians with the intent to help teachers to 

consider the complexities of teaching about this topic and 

delivering sensitive and accurate information. In addition, 

participants learned to identify the criteria to select appropriate 

children and young adult books on Native peoples, and were able 

to examine books by native authors, illustrators, and in some 

cases, publishers. This program resulted from the collaboration 

between SIL and ICIK. Date Range: April 2013 – April 2014

04/01/2013 - 

04/30/2014 Completed Native Americans

Conferences 

w/Colleges or 

Universities

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 113
Direct 

Report

SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS SIL Project Search 

Internship/Job Training

Project Search: Internship/job training targeted at Individuals 

with Disabilities. Our intern started in January 8th and went 

through March 14. We didn’t get an intern again for the 3rd 

rotation, so SIL-Digital Services Office created a Summer parttime internship project for our earlier intern [Donnie] separate 

from the formal Project Search program, that started in June and 

is going through September, in collaboration with SIL's 

Interlibrary Loan Office. 

06/01/14 - 

09/30/14 In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Project Search Internship

Workforce 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL

Cataloging Latin 

American Exhibition 

Catalogs

Beginning in August and continuing this month, our contract 

cataloger, Edie Orazi, has been working on a project to catalog 

Latin American exhibition catalogs at the Hirshhorn Museum and 

Sculpture Garden library. The project was funded by the 

Washington Art Library Resources Committee (WALRC) to 

provide original cataloging for approximately 100 items. Dates of 

project Aug.-Sept. 2014 (possibly going into Oct.) Communities 

served: Latin Americans, art galleries, art museums, art 

historians.

08/01/14 - 

10/15/14 In-progress Hispanics Expanding access to SIL collections

Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL

SIL Online ExhibitionsWomen and Latino 

Authors/Illustrators

Planning online exhibitions that will provide stimulating, 

compelling and informative snapshots of Women and Latino 

authors and illustrators whose work is found in the Biodiversity 

Heritage Library. The exhibitions will tell the stories of underrepresented groups in the history of biodiversity research by 

highlighting select individuals, their careers, their contributions to 

science, and examples of their work found in BHL.

09/01/2014 - 

12/15/2014 Planned Hispanics Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL SIL Hiring

SIL works with OHR’s Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Specialist to 

announce vacancies far beyond USAJOBS to ensure we reach 

diverse communities. SIL also notifies professional organizations 

related to libraries and other technical specializations as they 

apply to specific positions. We also announce job openings 

through many common social media outlets and listserves.

As openings become 

available In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Digital Promotion of 

Job Opportunities

Workforce 

Diversity

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Direct 

Report

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Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS SIL SIL Digital Libraries

Through SIL's digitizing programs, we are able to offer access to 

our digital materials and online exhibitions on: art & design, 

history & culture, natural & physical sciences, the Biodiversity 

Heritage Library, and Cultural Heritage Library, along with 

illustrations, photos, and artwork from our collections.

Website: http://library.si.edu/digital-library.

Ongoing In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Virtual Programming Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SIL

SIL 2014 Professional 

Development 

Internships

For the summer of 2014, internships are available in 

advancement, digital projects, and preservation. Candidates 

interested in advancement will work in the National Museum of 

Natural History on a gift-in-kind project as well as on events, 

appeals, publicity and Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board 

activities. Candidates interested in digital projects will work 

remotely for the Biodiversity Heritage Library’s 15-consortium 

library network, addressing user feedback for bibliographic 

reference inquiries as well as cataloging and metadata issues. 

Candidates interested in preservation will work at the Book 

Conservation Lab in Landover, Md., receiving an overview of 

basic preservation needs and performing treatments for library 

collections. SIL announces opportunities through SI's SOLAA 

system as well as through SIL's social media platforms and 

listserves for MLS programs to reach a diverse audience. 

Summer 2014 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Virtual Internships Program 

Diversity

DUSCIS SISP Open SI

Open SI (http://opensi.si.edu) is an open access portal where SI 

research results newly published by SISP are released. In most 

cases, the publications are released as PDFs many weeks prior to 

their print editions. The system was launched in October 2013 

and is undergoing continued development for enhancements 

that will lead to increased discoverability for SI researchers and 

their publications, but also increased access by the public. Any 

reader with an interest and an internet connection will have a 

public interface to locate, read, and download publications 

resulting from various studies among the greater SI research 

community.

October 2013 - 

present In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Public Access to 

Research

Program 

Diversity

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SI 

Unit Initiative Title Description of Initiative DateDate Range

Initiative Status Historically Underrepresented 

Groups Served

Other Underrepresented 

Groups Served Type of Initiative Diversity Category

DUSCIS SISP Federal Depository 

Library deposits

SISP uses federal funds to print its Smithsonian Contributions 

Series and miscellaneous publications. As a result, deposit of print 

copies is required by the Superintendent of Documents via the 

Government Printing Office (GPO). GPO indicates the appropriate 

quantity to be printed based on discipline then covers cost for 

and deposits its printed copies to core Federal Depository 

Libraries.

Ongoing In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Government 

Requirement

Program 

Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 116