The Women of Color (WOC) National Conference and STEM Career Fair is a premier conference and career fair for women of color in the United States. This year is the 23rd WOC Conference and Fair.
Women of Color is a three-day national conference with students and professionals – with representation from more than 3,000 thought leaders in engineering, computer science, and business.
WOC features a variety of educational and professional opportunities including workshops, expert panels, networking mixers, and prominent keynote speakers.
NASA was a sponsor at the Women of Color STEM Conference again this year, and participated in a pre-college seminar for secondary students. Students worked with NASA representatives on hands-on, competitive activities that engage and challenge them to consider STEM careers as real options. NASA employees also held a seminar where participants learned about a broad range of career opportunities at the Agency.
NASA was well-represented, with participants from Ames Research Center, Glenn Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, Langley Research Center, and Headquarters. Eleven NASA employees won awards this year at WOC for their spectacular career accomplishments.
Category: Diversity and Inclusion
NASA Recognizes Conflict Resolution Day on October 18, 2018
Conflict Resolution Day, officially celebrated this year on October 18, 2018, is an internationally recognized event created by the Association for Conflict Resolution to promote awareness of the many creative and proactive methods for resolving and managing conflicts. At NASA, each Center holds commemorations and conducts educational awareness events throughout the month of October. These events highlight NASA’s commitment to resolving conflicts at the earliest possible stage.
Each Center leverages this time of the year to promote awareness and use of early and peaceful means of resolving workplace conflicts such as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Ombudsman Program, Conflict Resolution Program, Anti-Harassment Program, Process for Handling Dissenting Opinions, NASA Safety Reporting System, Employee Assistance Program, Negotiated Grievance Process, Administrative Grievance Process and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).
For Conflict Resolution Month events at each Center, please visit:
Ames Research Center: https://insideames.arc.nasa.gov/
Telephone: (650) 604-0783
Armstrong Flight Research Center: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/home/index.html
Telephone: (661) 276-3033
Glenn Research Center: https://wing.grc.nasa.gov/
Telephone: (216) 433-2463
Goddard Space Flight Center: https://internal.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Telephone: (301) 286-7348
Headquarters: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/hq/home/index.html
Telephone: (202) 358-1228
Johnson Space Center: http://internal.jsc.nasa.gov/default.aspx
Telephone: (281) 483-0603
Kennedy Space Center: http://communicator.ksc.nasa.gov/
Telephone: (321) 867 9171
Langley Research Center: https://www.nasa.gov/langley
Telephone: (757) 864-4240
Marshall Space Flight Center: https://explornet.nasa.gov/welcome
Telephone: (256) 544-6764
NASA Shared Services Center/Stennis Space Center: http://sscwebc.ssc.nasa.gov/
Telephone: (228) 688-2210
Alternative Dispute Resolution Resolves Issues Quickly and Effectively
NASA is committed to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve workplace disputes as early as possible and to provide a safe and inclusive environment for constructive communication. No matter how effective an office is, sometimes there are misunderstandings, conflicts, or differences of opinion. The Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) champions ADR as a way of quickly addressing and resolving issues.
ODEO believes that with an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment every employee will be better able to focus on attaining their full potential, with the motivation to go the extra mile in support of NASA’s vision and mission.
Employee Viewpoint Survey 2018 Infographic
Infographic Summary of the 2018 NASA Employee Viewpoint Survey:
Agency EVS Infographic Template 2018
NASA Attends Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Conference and Career Fair
The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) National Conference and STEM Career Fair is the largest conference and career fair for Asian Americans in the United States, with over 3,000 students and professionals and representation from over 100 universities nationwide.
NASA attended SASE again this year, talking with hundreds of students and presenting a workshop on NASA internship opportunities. In the words of participant Lien Moore, from Marshall Space Flight Center, “I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to represent NASA and MSFC at SASE 2018. It was so much larger than the last time I attended (maybe 2-3 years ago). The students’ interest in working at NASA is as strong as ever! I enjoyed spending time with all you and appreciate the chance to taste Chicago deep dish pizza with some of you! I had a lot of fun!”
The George Washington University’s Women’s Leadership Program to Feature NASA’s Modern Figures
NASA’s Modern Figures story, with an emphasis on elevating women in Government, will be featured at the Women’s Leadership Program: Strategies for Accelerating Impact, Influence and Advancement, at the George Washington University from October 24-26. The program presented by GWU’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership is a joint effort by women leaders for women leaders, and will provide new strategies and tactics for women to take the lead and succeed at higher levels in their organizations.
This breakthrough women’s leadership program features highly respected guest speakers, including a panel “From Hidden Figures to Modern Figures,” featuring the following:
•Julie Williams-Byrd, Acting Chief Technologist at NASA Langley Research Center
•Michelle Ferebee, Deputy Director for Strategy in the Aeronautics Research Directorate
at NASA Langley Research Center
•Dr. Wanda Peters, Deputy Director for Planning and Business Management in the Flight Projects at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
While gender diversity is recognized as a hallmark of the most successful organizations, studies—including “Women Rising: the Unseen Barriers” reported in HBR—reveal that gender bias continues to exist in most organizations.
Whatever the organizational climate, there are key actions and behaviors women can take to lead successfully and improve workplace engagement, culture, and operational execution. Participants will have the opportunity to network and build community with the speakers and participating women leaders.
“The skills, habits, and nuances learned in this program will begin to move the needle in gender equity and create better leaders,” says Leslie Grossman, Senior Fellow and Executive Coach at GWU Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, and Faculty Director of the program.
The program tackles such topics as building trusted relationships and influential networks, the mindfulness of confidence, workplace harassment, and emotional intelligence as a pathway to leadership.
The three-day program will take place on GW’s Washington, D.C. campus. There are a few more spaces for qualified candidates. For more information about GW’s Women’s Leadership Program: www.gwu.edu/cepl.
To apply, please visit: https://cepl.cps.gwu.edu/womens-leadership-application-form
Johnson Space Center Disability Employment Awareness Month Program: “Working With People Who Are Not Like Me”
JSC Conflict Resolution and Disability Month_Oct 4 Event Flyer_FINAL_pdf…
Johnson Space Center (JSC) is hosting a presentation by Joe Bontke from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), who will address the following questions:
What’s in your backpack, and is any of it baggage? For today’s multi-cultural and multi-generational workforce to be effective, we all need to be prepared to engage in open communications. This event will identify effective strategies for cross-cultural communications at the workplace, for supporting employees with disability or health condition, and to utilize active listening for better understanding of needs and workplace issues.
Does unconscious bias, unspoken interactions and, ultimately, fear get in the way? This will get you thinking and maybe acting in a different way with people who are not like you.
JSC is streaming this event on Thursday, October 4 at http://ustream.tv/channel/nasa-jsc (viewing from 8-9:30am PST / 9-10:30am MST / 10-11:30am CST /11am-12:30pm EST). This event is hosted by JSC Safety and Health Action Team, No Boundaries Employee Resource Group, and JSC Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. There will be 2 ASL interpreters supporting the event at JSC. Their image will be inserted via the livestream video feed.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Celebrating Disability Inclusion for More Than 70 Years
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM is an annual campaign to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the contributions of America’s employees with disabilities. The 2018 NDEAM theme is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All.”
In 1945, Congress decreed the first week in October each year as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.”
At NASA, we work intentionally to attract and retain employees who reflect the diverse world we live in and serve. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens our capability to achieve our mission, creates innovation, and enhances employee engagement. NASA is committed to equal employment opportunity, a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, and a workplace that supports reasonable accommodations and accessible tools and technology so our employees with disabilities can win at work and fully contribute to mission success across the agency.
Many people have disabilities, whether overt or hidden. NDEAM is about encouraging each of us to embrace differences to see the potential in everyone.
In commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I invite all employees to frequent the ODEO blog to get information on various activities across NASA and to participate in events in your communities.
Re-Categorization of Disability Codes
Office of Human Capital Management and Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
TO: NASA Workforce
FROM: Assistant Administrator, Office of Human Capital Management and
Associate Administrator, Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
SUBJECT: Re-Categorization of Disability Codes
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently re-categorized the disability codes for specific disabilities and conditions. New codes have been created to more accurately reflect what is reported. Therefore, even if you have previously identified your disability status, the information may no longer be accurate.
All employees are strongly encouraged to visit Employee Express to review and update their information.
Why is this important? This information helps NASA to provide accurate demographic data as required by OPM and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Further, it allows NASA to measure progress towards reaching Federal workforce representation goals for individuals with disabilities and supporting Presidential Executive Orders related to diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
Understandably, some of you may be hesitant to identify your disability status. However, you can be assured that all personally identifiable information, including disability status, is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974, and identification is strictly voluntary. Also, your information can only be accessed by NASA officials with a “need to know,” such as the staff in the NASA Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and the NASA Office of Human Capital Management.
You may also review your race, ethnicity, as well as your disability data in Employee Express and make any necessary changes — it only takes a few minutes. Log into Employee Express (https://www.employeeexpress.gov) and click on “Disability Update” to verify or update your status. You can also update other information, such as level of education, race, and ethnicity. Once you make and save your selections, you will see the updates when you login to Employee Express in the future.
Questions regarding NASA’s Disability Program or the disability codes can be directed to Rebecca Doroshenk, Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, at (202)358-0038 or rebecca.d.doroshenk@nasa.gov.
Bob Gibbs
Assistant Administrator
Office of Human Capital Management
Stephen T. Shih
Associate Administrator
Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
ODEO Associate Administrator Steve Shih Moderates Diversity Program at Kennedy Space Center
Steve Shih, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, traveled this month to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to participate in a number of events in support of the KSC workforce. Steve served as the moderator of a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) program at the KSC Supervisor All-Hands Meeting held by KSC Director, Bob Cabana, to emphasize the importance of D&I. Subsequently, Steve taught two classes on anti-harassment to KSC leaders.
Steve also visited a number of KSC organizations to interact with KSC personnel and to learn more about KSC’s missions. Finally, Steve visited the KSC Visitor’s Center, where he observed the new Astronaut Training Experience for the public and also visited the Astronaut Hall of Fame, in which KSC Director Cabana is inducted.