Charter initiative
About the Charter Initiative Task Force
The School of Life Sciences Charter Initiative Task Force exists to uphold the principles of the ASU Charter, building upon our promise to measure ourselves by whom we include and how they succeed. We are guided by ASU’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence.
Since its formation in 2020 the task force has continued to build off the dedicated efforts of life sciences leadership, faculty, staff and students to understand the range, scope and depth of the needs and opportunity within our community, with respect to research, teaching, training, resources and community belonging; accounting for the deepest possible grasp of diverse perspectives and identities.
Mission
The School of Life Sciences (SOLS) Charter Initiative Task Force (CITF) cultivates a welcoming environment where inclusive excellence guides programs, communications, mentoring, and school-level initiatives. The task force aims to support a sense of belonging and the success and well-being of the SOLS community as well as its local, national, and international networks. The task force collaborates with university offices—including Human Resources, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Graduate College, and Student Services—to ensure alignment with institutional standards.
Vision
SOLS seeks to be a leader in inclusive life sciences education and research, empowering all community members, especially those historically marginalized, to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the life sciences enterprise.
Goals
Embed and advance inclusive excellence within all aspects of the School of Life Sciences. The actions proposed within this goal address the principle of institutional change.
Create a welcoming School environment to support a sense of belonging. The actions proposed within this goal address the principle of community belonging.
Provide innovative, inclusive, accessible, and equitable access to learning experiences.The actions proposed within this goal address the principles of inclusive teaching and mentoring.
Initiative Task Force
The School of Life Sciences Charter Initiative Task Force is comprised of 12 members which includes staff, faculty, graduate students and postdocs. Each member serves for a two-year term.
Resources
Women in STEM | EduMed
Task force members
Leadership
 | Special Advisor to Director for Charter InitiativesNancy Grimm |
2026
- Nancy Grimm (outgoing chair)
- Candace Lewis (incoming chair)
- Tiffany Lewis
- Catherine Mancini
- Emilia Martins
- Masmudur Rahman
- Zack Shaffer
- Maya Shamsid-Deen
- Piymika Suriyampola
- Krystal Tsosie
- Nathan Upham
- Annie Weaver-Bryant
2025
- Megan Chin
- Nancy Grimm (Chair)
- Thomas Hartley McDermott
- Candace Lewis
- Tiffany Lewis
- Catherine Mancini
- Zack Shaffer
- Maya Shamsid-Deen
- Noah Snyder-Mackler
- Piyumika Suriyampola
- Krystal Tsosie
- Nathan Upham
2024
- Nancy Grimm
- Megan Chin
- Camila Guerreo Pineda
- Caroline Hall
- Candace Lewis
- Tiffany Lewis
- Noah Snyder-Mackler
- Catherine Mancini
- Thomas Hartley McDermott
- Zack Shaffer
- Abhishek Shrivastava
- Piyumika Suriyampola
- Nathan Upham
2023
- Sara Brownell
- Juliana Calixto
- Carolyn Compton
- Nancy Grimm
- Candace Lewis
- Veronica Martinez
- Zachary Shaffer
- Abhishek Shrivastava
- Va’Trelle Stokely
- Noah Snyder-Mackler
- Mehreen Tahir
2022
- Austin Blackmon
- Sara Brownell
- Adrian Fisher
- Sharon Hall
- Yize Li
- Kate MacCord
- Maneesha Muralinath
- Janet Neisewander
- Mehreen Tahir
- Arvind Varsani
2021
- Gro Amdam
- Sara Brownell
- Kelle Dhein
- Sharon Hall
- Kate MacCord
- John McCutcheon
- Janet Neisewander
- Arvind Varsani