Diversity and Inclusion

As a department, we have made it our mission to create and sustain a diverse and inclusive environment in which all students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

The Broadening Participation in Computing BPC 2022-2024 Department Plan has been verified by BPCnet.org.

The CS Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) Phase II Draft is now available!

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Mosaic+ Transition Program

 

 

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Program dates: July 29-August 23, 2024

Online: July 29 - August 16, 2024 (3 weeks)

In-person: Tuesday August 20 to Friday August 23 (move-in Monday August 19) 

How to Apply: 

Please go to this form to apply where you will also find the info to apply in Workday. Please apply in both locations. Please check back next year for the 2024 program.

Mosaic+ is an inclusive student-run organization open to all students created to foster community, inspire innovation, and provide opportunity and equity to underrepresented minority students. Mosaic+ is officially recognized and supported by the Brown University Computer Science Department.

The Mosaic+ Transition Program provides an opportunity for newly admitted students to learn more about computer science, with an emphasis on interracial understanding and community building. The program helps students identify and mitigate issues encountered by minority students at a predominantly white institution, and learn about the resources at the University and the CS department. No prior computer science experience is necessary. Students will experience an exciting mix of technical and community-oriented activities and tasks to help prepare them for the rigors of computer science.

The hybrid pre-orientation program includes a 3-week online academic course, and 4-days of on-campus CS lessons, social activities, workshops, info-sessions, talks and field trips.

"As an international student, I had a different educational background and almost no previous experience with CS. However, thanks to Mosaic+ I was able to kickstart my first year of university with confidence and determination. Despite facing a steep learning curve in my first semester, the diverse community in Mosaic+ made me feel that I can and should take space in the tech field. It's impossible to regret finding talented, smart, kind, and passionate new friends, especially when some of them have similar experiences and backgrounds as you do!”  -- Floppy Doval, ‘26

"Mosaic+ provided me with the opportunity to meet some of my closest friends at Brown. It provided me with a community in an unfamiliar place thousands of miles away from home that made my transition smoother.” -- Dior Williams, ‘26

What will students learn during the program?

Throughout the course of the transition program, students will learn about:

When and where will this program be held?

For 2024, this program will run for 3-weeks online from Monday, July 29th until Friday August 16th, and 4-days in-person from Tuesday, August 20th until Friday, August 23rd (move-in date Monday, August 19th). Eligible students will participate in online and in-person CS lessons and in-person community-building activities, workshops and first-year info-sessions. Students admitted to the program are eligible to move into their 2024 Fall dorm room early on Monday August 19, 2024. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to concentrate in CS to apply for the Mosaic+ Transition Program?
No. You do not need to concentrate in CS if you want to apply. Students with a general interest in CS are eligible to apply. Brown University students do not declare their concentration until their sophomore year.

How much does the Mosaic+ Transition Program cost?
$0.00. The cost of the Mosaic+ Transition Program is not charged to the student and/or the families involved, it is covered by the institution. 

Can I participate in another pre-orientation program and Mosaic+ Transition Program?
Yes. Students that apply to Mosaic+ Transition Program are encouraged to also apply and participate in the Third World Transition Program (TWTP) and/or International Orientation. Students that do not apply to one of the subsequent pre-orientation programs can still participate in the Mosaic+ Transition Program online. Students are also eligible to apply and participate in the NS-Catalyst Pre-Orientaiton program with the Mosaic+ Transition Program concurrently.

Will participation in the Mosaic+ Transition Program be graded? Is the course for-credit?
No. This is a 0-credit optional pre-orientation program. Completion of the assignments in this course will have no affect on your first-year courses' grades or your official transcript. The lessons are exclusively for your benefit to gain a rudimentary understanding of CS concepts and programming languages before taking one of the CS intro courses (CS15, CS17, CS111, or CS19).

I have a job this summer, can I still participate in the program?
Yes, we estimate the time commitment is 5 hours per week for the online program. We ask that students get as much work as they can done, but recognize that students have busy lives and a lot of priorities to juggle, so the program is intentionally flexible. Students will need to be able to move in early on Monday August 19, 2024 to participate fully in the in-person program. 

If you have any questions, please contact Morgan Beltre via email at Morgan_Beltre@brown.edu.