We value diversity

To solve the world’s most pressing problems, it is critical to engage multiple points of view. Engineering is a field where this is particularly critical, as the principles that drive engineering are often complex. Innovations in technology are often the product of a multidisciplinary group working together.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering recognizes historic biases against people of color and women, and more recently, the biases toward the LGBTQ+ community. To meet the challenges of the future, we are working to better hear the voices of those from underrepresented groups who are already part of our department.

To place this new focus in the forefront, we have taken a fresh approach to the department’s diversity committee. The membership has been expanded to include students, and we are also making a concerted effort to hear from all corners of our group. The team has been renamed the Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity for All (IDEA) Committee. We are also actively seeking input from faculty, staff, and students to assist us in guiding this initiative.

While we recognize the challenges behind us, we remain diligent to making changes where they are needed. We anticipate a brighter future that we all build together.

The Society of Automotive Engineers at Virginia Tech is led by several aspiring women in engineering, a growth area for the college. Carrie Craig, the president of the chapter, talks about the work they've done since formation.

Long-term goals of the committee:

1. Incorporate diversity training in the curriculum.
2. Recruit new diverse faculty.
3. Increase visibility of underrepresented students, faculty, and staff within the department.

Short-term goals of the committee:

1. Support current underrepresented (UR) groups in the department to include students, faculty, and staff.
2. Increase enrollment of underrepresented graduate applicants.
3. Provide additional training each semester through seminars, workshops, and open discussions for faculty and staff.

First-generation students are a historically underrepresented population of students in higher education. In this panel, Kelly Scarff talks to a panel of them about their experiences.