Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Overview

“Diversity is a fact, inclusion is a practice, equity is the goal.”
Dereca Blackmon, Stanford’s Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director, Diversity and Inclusion Office.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering aims to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment that recognizes, respects, and values differences including those based on:

Sex
Race
Age
National origin
Ethnicity
Gender identity and expression
Intellectual and physical ability
Sexual orientation
Income
Faith and non-faith perspectives
Socio-economic class
Political ideology
Education
Primary language
Family status
Military experience
Cognitive style
Communication style

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is comprised of faculty, staff, and students, undergraduate and graduate.

The DEI Committee was initiated to foster an environment in the department that is respectful, encouraging, and open-minded. Our goal is to encourage diversity within our department as well as be a voice for each and every individual that seeks equity and inclusion. We also promote awareness of DEI and bias, with the aim to enhance participation of underrepresented communities in our STEM programs.

The committee is devoted to sharing resources, facilitating events, and dedicating time towards strengthening an inclusive learning and working environment. We look forward to working alongside students, faculty, and staff—empowering all towards the continued success of the department, in keeping with the University of Rochester’s visions and values.

DEI Committee Members

Hussein Aluie

Kristen Churnetski

Paul Funkenbusch

John Lambropoulos

Cody Phillips

Keelin Quirk

Anna Remus

Athan Sanders

Jessica Shang

Kae-Lynn Wilson

Our Mission

DEI Committee Goals and Objectives

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee brings together undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, faculty, and scientists together to:

Identify areas for improvement with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Define specific goals for improving in these areas
Develop and execute action plans to achieve these goals

Our specific objectives in our Department are:

Diversify our department at all levels
Improve student retention
Continue strong support for the student chapters of NSBE, SHPE, SWE, SASE, and others
Assess diversity, anti-racist, and inclusivity climate in our program
Continue to promote inclusivity in student leadership positions (TAs, peers, research)
Provide dedicated mentorship
Promote diversity in graduate student outreach and recruitment
Promote diversity in faculty and staff hiring and promotions
Promote diversity in the membership of our Program Advisory Board (PAB)

Message from the Chair

As chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering one of my goals is to address our department’s diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Our department’s core mission is to prepare students for professional careers through excellent research and education, and it is critical that we conscientiously strive to overcome implicit bias and to provide equal opportunity to all the members of our community.

Our students, staff, and faculty are committed to encourage a professional, inclusive, and respectful climate in which every individual makes a unique and important contribution. We are dedicated to the pursuit and cultivation of a learning environment that promotes free and open expression of ideas and we are fortunate to have a very rich population of minority and international students.

As an integral part of our commitment, the department actively supports student participation in the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers. Our program is also recognized for the high level of undergraduate involvement in research projects, with strong participation of minority and international students.

Learn More About the Chair

Message from the Dean

The mission of the Edmund A. Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is to promote and support the highest quality research that advances solutions to pressing societal problems and to advance education in engineering and applied science through engaging experiences and environments that promote critical thinking, creativity, equity, ethics, and leadership, creating lifelong learners. This is a lofty goal and one that we must be sure to achieve. Indeed, our future capacity to transform our world through technological innovations depends on new research discoveries. It also depends on educating a diverse population of students who will be the next researchers, developers, entrepreneurs, educators, and leaders in engineering, and who have the passion to change the world.

The world needs more engineers with a diversity of backgrounds and ways of looking at the world. The world needs more engineers who care about the impact of our decisions on our environment, on our place as a global citizen, and on our future. These are the engineers who will serve as catalysts for change. In the Hajim School, we recognize that engineering training provides the tools to tackle some of the most difficult problems facing society today. Yet it is the unique skills and backgrounds of each engineer, and the ability to work together as a team with integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to the highest standards, that will lead to the next big breakthrough.

Learn More About the Dean