Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Stuart Henderson, Director Jefferson Lab

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Statement from the Director
Fostering an inclusive work environment encourages collaboration across the community, leads to a greater exploration of ideas, and is key to the success of the Lab’s mission. DEIA should be embraced in all forms, placing emphasis on positive experiences for our employees, users, and all others that work or visit the Jefferson Lab campus. In all instances, we must strive to hold ourselves accountable and lead by example.

I call for everyone within the Jefferson Lab Community to exemplify the values of professionalism and respect, as well as cultivate a supportive environment where we acknowledge the opinions of others, enhancing scientific discourse with every exchange.

The goals of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Program are to:

Intentionally create and sustain a professional, ethical, and respectful work environment in which everyone contributes to the Lab's mission while striving for a fully inclusive workplace. This includes deliberate and thoughtful engagement with colleagues.
Build and maintain an exceptional workforce that reflects our community. This may require stepping outside of comfort zones to encourage and listen to perspectives dissimilar to our own, giving everyone an opportunity to be heard and understood.
Maintain transparency in our communications. Actively promote results and successes in building a diverse and inclusive environment, and propose improvements in any areas where we fall short.
Increase diversity within the Lab and the broader scientific/engineering communities in the nation by recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse and talented workforce, while fostering a diverse STEM pipeline through progressive science education and community outreach programs.

Rhonda Barbosa
HR Director
Jefferson Lab

"DEI is about keeping Jefferson Lab competitive. It will prepare us for new ways to attract, retain, motivate and embrace previously untapped perspectives, so we can remain leaders in the advancement of science in the nation."

-R. Barbosa

Aurora Realin
DEI Program Manager Jefferson Lab

"Jefferson Lab’s desire to become an inclusive organization will pave the way for creativity and innovation as we advance our mission of scientific discovery. With committed collaboration and partnerships internally and with the community we serve, we can continue to learn and grow and move the needle forward for diversity, equity and inclusion. Together, WE can do it!”

-A. Realin

Any questions, please contact Aurora Realin, DEI Program Manager.

Jefferson Lab is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility internally, in the DOE and National Lab System, and in our community.

Our definitions for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility are as follows:

Diversity - Achieve and sustain a workforce composed of qualified people who proportionally represent the diverse populations that contribute to the advancement of science.

Equity - Achieve and maintain an organization where fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement is guaranteed for all.

Inclusion - Achieve and uphold a professional, ethical, tolerant and respectful work environment in which everyone can contribute to the mission according to their talents.

Accessibility - Achieve and provide equitable access to facilities, information and communication technology, programs and services so that all people, including those with disabilities, can utilize and fully participate in.

World-Wide DEI Holidays

Veterans at JLab Group Photo

Veterans Day Hybrid Event Photo Gallery

Veterans Day Poster 2022

Veterans at JLab - Highlights

November 9th Hybrid Event Recording with Rusty Sprouse (Military song link here)

Native American Heritage Month Meeting in a Box Toolkit

November Worldwide DEI Holidays and Observances

October 31st National Disability Employment Awareness Month Virtual Event Recording with Dr. Amber Kuszak, Psy.D, LCP

Disability Awareness Autism, Anxiety, & ADHD slides Dr. Amber Kuszak, Psy.D, LCP

Statement by President Joe Biden on Diwali

Oct. 10th World Mental Health Day - Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Meeting in a Box Toolkit

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Presidential Proclamation

September 16th Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual Event Recording with Aria Soha, Engineering Physicist at Fermilab

National Hispanic Heritage Month Meeting in a Box Toolkit

National Hispanic Heritage Month Presidential Proclamation

JLab Mother's/Wellness Rooms Info

Complimentary Women in Science Calendars

The Keys to Allyship: Understanding What an Ally is and the Role They Play in an Inclusive Workforce

10 Things Allies Can Do

The Importance of Belonging at Work

UPCOMING DEI EVENTS

If you would like to sign up to be a part of our mailing list and be informed of all things DEI, please click here: Inclusion Info Page (jlab.org)

Below you can find more information about all those who take the lead in driving and sustaining our aspired culture. Information on upcoming internal DEI events can be found below.

Veterans Mentoring Program

If you'd like to sign up for our newly launched Veteran Mentoring Program, please click the links below. This program was designed to help our veterans who are transitioning out from the military to adjust to civilian work life by partnering with a JLab team member.

Program Information

Mentor Application

Mentee Application

Upcoming Events/Courses

Get Connected with Your Colleagues

Tuesday, December 6th 11:15 – 1:15pm, CEBAF Center deck

Join us for our last Get Connected event of the year! Bring your lunch and eat with us, play some games and meet new colleagues and reconnect with familiar ones. We look forward to seeing you there!

Overcoming Barriers to Communication (updated AP-COM course)

Tuesday, January 24th, 1-3pm https://misportal.jlab.org/training/classes/113066

Overcoming Barriers to Communication is a course created to assist employees to understand various barriers to communication. Through this course, attendees will realize the impact of medium and delivery on communication, recognize potential barriers to effective communication and how this translates into everyday work interactions. Participants will understand cultural differences (language and cultural context), gender stereotypes and unconscious bias, and how all these factors hinder good communication. Participants will learn strategies and gain tools on how to become more effective communicators.

Safe Zone/LGBTQ+ Educational Session

Thursday, February 9th 10-11:30am https://misportal.jlab.org/training/classes/113067

The Safe Zone/LGBTQ+ Educational Session is an opportunity for everyone, including our LGBTQ+ colleagues, allies and all who are interested in learning. During this session, we will review LGBTQ+ core terminology, discuss our personal relations to LGBTQ+ subjects and engage each other on how we can become better allies and advocates for our LGBTQ+ colleagues. This session is voluntary and advanced notice of participation is not required.

Resources

Thank you to all for attending our Demographic Focus Group Meetings! We appreciate your engagement and contribution and value the feedback you have to share to help us continue to create a stronger culture of inclusion. Please see slide decks for each DFGM below to include feedback gathered from Mentimeter. Should you have any questions, please contact the Leadership Sponsor. Next meetings will resume in March 2023.

Demographic Focus Group	Leadership Sponsor	Date & Time	Meeting Location/Link
Role/Staff Administrators/Administrative Support	Steve Smith	Sept. 7, 10-11am	Slide Deck
Role/Techs/AP/ESM (Technical Staff) *onsite meeting - Refreshments will be served	Andrei Seryi	Sept. 9, 11-12pm	Slide Deck
LGBTQ+	Jianwei Qiu	Sept. 19, 9-10am	Slide Deck
Age/Generation	Amber Boehnlein	Sept. 20, 11-12pm	Slide Deck
Veterans	Will Oren	Sept. 23, 11-12pm	Slide Deck
Race/African American & Black	Lauren Hansen	Sept. 27, 11-12pm	Slide Deck
Disability/People Living with Disabilities	Rusty Sprouse	Sept. 28, 11-12pm	Slide Deck
Tenure	Steve Hoey	Oct. 4, 9-10am	Slide Deck
Gender	Thia Keppel	Oct. 18, 1-2pm	Slide Deck

DEI Commitments, Leadership Sponsors and Org Chart

Recruitment and Hiring

37+ countries: At Jefferson lab we hire the world and bask in our diversity, enriching our science by working with many partners to ensure we are in touch

Retention and Development

We have your family in mind with our AWS program, we know talent in different forms with our Differently Able focus, and we build bonds through our Diversity Council

Education & Community

We reach out to ensure we spread opportunities, resulting in 10,000,000+ views of our YouTube content, scholarships for women and underrepresented groups, and diversity in our business dealings