Suggestion: After visiting the College of Pharmacy, I was struck by how intentionally their building space promotes student belonging. Several walls highlight student organizations, student encouragement messages, and informal community elements, creating a welcoming, student-centered environment. In SR-1, our walls primarily showcase research posters. This reflects an important core value, but there may be an opportunity to celebrate students and their success more visibly, particularly in first-floor spaces where students gather and visitors pass through (e.g., near the Dean’s Office or between Rooms 116 and 117). Such displays could support belonging, engagement, and recruitment, while complementing our research identity.

Response: Thank you for this thoughtful suggestion. Our physical spaces communicate who we are and what we value, and it is important that they reflect student engagement alongside research excellence.

We will explore ways to showcase student organizations, involvement opportunities, and student achievements in high-traffic areas to foster a stronger sense of belonging while maintaining a professional and cohesive environment. We appreciate your offer to share examples and welcome continued input as we consider next steps.

Suggestion: Thanks for organizing this. Great idea! Students frequently email faculty with enrollment-related questions that are better addressed by program directors or advising staff. This can create unnecessary back-and-forth and delay resolution for students. Could NSM help communicate more clearly to students who their appropriate point of contact is for enrollment questions? While this may be a university-wide issue, additional clarity at the college or departmental level might improve efficiency.

Response: Thank you for raising this practical concern. Instructors are often the first point of contact for students, even when other offices may be better positioned to provide assistance.

We will review our student-facing materials to determine whether clearer, more consistent guidance would better support students in navigating available resources. We welcome specific suggestions for improving clarity and encourage faculty to continue directing students to the appropriate offices to ensure timely and accurate assistance.

Suggestion: The NSM Office of Research recommends holding a “kick-off” meeting upon receipt of a new award. This meeting should include the principal investigator, the department business administrator responsible for managing the award, and the research liaison officer who assisted with the application. The purpose is to review key topics such as: 1) Sponsor’s Notice of Award (NOA), 2) Program requirements, 3) Approved budget and justification, 4) Compliance obligations, 5) Reporting requirements.

Response: Thank you for this thoughtful and practical suggestion, which can help ensure compliance, clarify expectations, and set projects up for success from the outset.

We will work to incorporate this service into our NSM Research Office. In the interim, PIs and DBAs are encouraged to request a “kick-off” meeting if one is not proactively scheduled.

Suggestion: Where can I get one of those red Natural Science and Mathematics shirts? I saw them around but didn’t find them in the UH store.

Response: We often distribute NSM shirts and other branded materials at selected events, including to volunteers and participants.

Suggestion: What does the data reflect collected from industry talent acquisition leaders regarding the perception and hiring probability related to an interdisciplinary STEM degree?

Response: We expect to track these data as they come available.

Suggestion: Host an invitational NSM Scholar Recognition Dinner for top admitted students, potentially in partnership with an employer host site. Invitations could include a conditional scholarship offer tied to standard criteria (e.g., high school graduation consistent with admission, final GPA, and matriculation to NSM), with the invite list limited to students the college intends to support.

The event could showcase NSM research, early undergraduate research opportunities (e.g., “Undergraduate in the Lab”), internship pathways with employer partners, and student experiences through panels and presentations, culminating in remarks from the Dean and a certificate presentation.

This model could strengthen recruitment, increase matriculation rates among top admits, deepen employer partnerships, and support student success outcomes.

Response: Thank you for this creative and strategic suggestion. A targeted event for top admitted students that integrates research, student experience, and employer engagement could align well with our goals around recruitment and student success. This idea could complement Tier One Scholars and reach a broader group of students we might recruit to NSM. I appreciate the thoughtful framing and potential impact.

Suggestion: Consider implementing a regular, anonymous faculty climate survey to provide a safe channel for reporting concerns related to workplace climate, professionalism, and fairness. Such a survey could help identify recurring issues, track progress over time, and inform appropriate follow-up actions. Ensuring strong anonymity protections would be essential to encourage candid feedback and maintain trust in the process.

Response: Thank you for raising this important topic. A healthy and professional work environment depends on open communication, trust, and appropriate channels for addressing concerns. The college and university already maintain several formal mechanisms for reporting and investigating issues, including confidential and anonymous options. We will consider how additional climate assessment tools, including periodic surveys, might complement these existing processes, while ensuring appropriate safeguards, context, and follow-through. We appreciate your focus on maintaining a strong and respectful community.