Meet Our Team

Colette Patt, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Division

Colette Patt is the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in the Mathematical & Physical Sciences Division (MPS), at the University of California, Berkeley. As the MPS Division's chief diversity officer, she generates, facilitates, and leads efforts across the division to increase diversity and achieve equitable outcomes at the undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty levels. Her scholarly work focuses on academic life, identity, race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, disability in higher education, and institutional change. Dr. Patt received her BA in English and Women's Studies in 1985, and her Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Studies in Education at UC Berkeley in 1995.

Claire-Marie Kooi, M.S.

Associate Director, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Scholars 

Claire-Marie Kooi is the Associate Director of MPS Scholars in the Mathematical & Physical Sciences Division (MPS), at UC Berkeley. In this role, she develops, implements, and directs programming that promotes equity and provides pathways to success for underrepresented students. Previously, Claire-Marie worked in the UC Berkeley College of Engineering and oversaw programs such as Engineering Scholars as Engaged Scholars ((ES)2), which engages students at the intersection of environmental justice, social justice, and engineering. In addition to (ES)2, she was also the founding director of the First Generation Mentor Program, Transfer Mentor Program, and Berkeley Mentorship Cohort, which aim to increase the success and retention of underrepresented students in engineering. Claire-Marie has a passion for STEM and has dedicated her professional career to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in higher education. Claire-Marie received her BA in Environmental Earth Science with a minor in Dance and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley in 2014.

Brit Toven-Lindsey, Ph.D.

Research Associate, Mathematical & Physical Sciences DEIA Office

Brit Toven-Lindsey is a research associate in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Office in the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS). In this role she is involved in multiple grant-funded research projects focused on creating a more equitable and inclusive scholarly community for students, faculty and staff in MPS. Brit’s research is focused on giving voice to the diverse experiences of students and instructors, and the ways that more equitable pedagogical approaches, campus policies and practices, and learning environments can support student success and persistence. She has worked in higher education for more than 20 years with roles in student programs, international education, faculty development, and research and assessment. She earned her Ph.D. in higher education and organizational change at UCLA in 2017.

Cynthia Baker-Smith

Program Manager, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Scholars

Cynthia (Cindi) Baker-Smith came to MPS Scholars with a wealth of experience from her role as Senior Program Manager of the UC Berkeley College Corps Program, where she provided leadership for a wide range of programmatic and administrative functions. The College Corps Program provides debt-free college opportunities for underrepresented students while engaging them in addressing critical community challenges, such as food and climate justice, K-12 education, and behavioral health and wellness.

Prior to this, Cindi worked in the Department of Psychology, where she managed the administrative operations for a smoothly run Clinical Science Student Training Program. With a strong background in program management, data-driven outcomes, and student support, Cindi has a proven track record in managing complex projects and building effective partnerships. Her responsibilities have included everything from liaising with stakeholders and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements to developing strategies to welcome and support students.

Cindi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, East Bay, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Touro University.