The College of Engineering has been recognized by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Diversity Recognition Program at the entry level (Bronze) for its effort in making measurable progress towards increasing diversity, inclusion and degree attainment.

The ASEE Diversity Recognition Program acknowledges colleges making progress within diversity categories. The program encourages improvement and accountability within the engineering higher education community.

“Receiving the ASEE Diversity Recognition is a great achievement for the college and (takes us) one step closer to … diversity and inclusion in engineering,” Maryam Raeeszadeh-Sarmazdeh, assistant professor and Engineering DEI Committee member, said. “Hearing diverse voices and including all from different backgrounds among the college in this conversation has a great importance.”

Engineering’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion also is reflected in its future plans.

“Next, our committee plans to work on the objectives outlined in the DEI action plan,” Gabrielle Bachand, Engineering DEI Committee chair, said. “Two of our top priorities are to build greater student-faculty-staff connection and to strengthen support for faculty and staff.”

“We look forward to achieving the next ASEE Diversity Recognition Program level (Silver) in the future, and this will require sustained progress towards our DEI goals,” Bachand added.

The ASEE recognition is the second DEI-related affirmation the College has earned over the past year.

“In 2023, we also gained admission to the GEM Fellowship program,” Bachand said, “so we are working on promoting opportunities and engagement with this valuable resource.”

The GEM Fellowship focuses on promoting opportunities for graduate students to enter high-level tech industry jobs.

The College’s DEI Committee continues to grow and improve through its activities and support for affinity groups such as the University chapters of the Society of Women Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.