Community Engagement
At UW-Madison, Rachel served as the Chair of Minoritized Identities of Wisconsin Strengthening Astronomy (MIoWSA) from 2019-2022 and is an organizer of the Listen+Reflect Speaker Series through Madison Astronomers Promoting Lasting Equity (MAPLE). Outside of her department, she works as a part of the organizing team of the Physics and Astronomy Anti-Racism Coalition (PAARC). She also serves in an organizing role on the Executive Board of the UW Madison Graduate Workers' Union, the Teaching Assistants Association (TAA). During the pandemic, she collaborated with other graduate students and directors of UW Space Place to develop hybrid implementations of the beloved UW Madison Universe in the Parks (UitP) programs.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS & SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
Astronomy Data Carpentries Curriculum Advisor since January 2022
Advises on the content and structure of the new Data Carpentries Astronomy Curriculum.
Organizing Committee, Physics & Astronomy Anti-Racism Coalition (PAARC) since November 2020
Maintains membership lists and moderates the Slack, Discord, and Website interfaces. Provides technological support during events and helps to organize group wide events.
Executive Board, Membership Coordinator, TAA Graduate Workers’ Union, Madison, WI since August 2020
Responsible for on-boarding new members to the union, organizing orientation and recruitment events in the Fall, voting executive board members as the organizing-committee representative.
Chair, Marginalized Identities of Wisconsin Strengthening Astronomy (MIoWSA), Madison, WI since August 2019
Implemented inviting graduate program alumni of marginalized identities to build a cross-generational community beyond current department members. Hosts a weekly space to process events and work on department equity focused projects. Organized once a semester study-break events for undergraduates.
Organizer, UW-Madison Astronomers Promoting Lasting Equity (MAPLE), Madison, WI since August 2019
Organized speaker series (Listen+Reflect, 2021) welcoming faculty from other astronomy departments with established bridge program initiatives to give a talk on their successful work towards equity in diversity within astronomy. Each talk has a follow-up discussion where we work to implement take-aways within our UW Madison Astronomy Department.
Member, Graduate Women in STEM (GWIS), Madison Chapter since February 2021
Member, American Astronomical Society (AAS) since May 2018
COOMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS
Presenter, Astronomy Graduate Lectures for Undergraduates, Madison, WI Fall 2021, Spring 2022
Presenter & Citizen Science Activity Organizer, High School Science Club Visit, Madison, WI Dec 2019, April 2022
Presenter, Universe in the Park – Various Locations, State Parks, WI Summer 2021
Organizer and Presenter, Universe in the Park – Hybrid Edition, Madison, WI Summer 2020
Presenter, Equity and Education – A Guided Discussion, Science Lunch, Madison, WI Jan 2020
Presenter & Citizen Science Activity Organizer, High School Science Club Visit, Madison, WI Dec 2019
Presenter, Intent and Impact – A Guided Discussion, Science Lunch, Madison, WI Oct 2019
Presenter, WI Science Festival Science on the Square Event, Madison, WI Oct 2019