Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan

We are fostering an equitable atmosphere that promotes innovation, curiosity, and creativity for all students, faculty, and staff to encourage the intentional growth and progress of for our college. As we grow the Bagley College of Engineering’s efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, we have developed expanded definitions for these key terms that may be useful for faculty, staff, students, and the broader community.

Diversity. The range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, physical ability, or attributes, religious or ethical values systems, national origin, political beliefs, and cultures.  Diversity is not the act of acknowledging or tolerating difference.  It is a set of conscious practices that seeks to understand and appreciate the interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment.

Equity. Ensuring that everyone has support and access to the resources needed to be successful and identifying and eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by systemic oppression. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions and systems, as well as in the distribution of resources. Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society and institution. Equity differs from equality. Equality refers to treating everyone the same, but does not necessarily lead to equitable outcomes because diverse communities have diverse needs and have faced varying obstacles and inequities.

Inclusion. Ensuring that people of all backgrounds, identifies, abilities, perspectives, and beliefs have an equal opportunity to belong, achieve, and contribute to their communities. An inclusive institution promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect where all people are recognized for their inherent worth and dignity, talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living.

The goal of the Bagley College of Engineering is to provide an environment where all students and faculty experience a sense of valued inclusion in the academic process, have access to pathways for achieving success, and to consistently rank in the top 10 among colleges and universities in the U.S. for graduating underrepresented engineering students.

To reach this goal, we will recruit, educate, and graduate a diverse student population so that by Fall 2025 we will:

1. Increase both the number of women engineering students enrolled and the women engineering graduation rate to 25%.
2. Increase both the number of Black engineering students enrolled to 20% and the Black engineering graduation rate to 15%.
3. Increase both the number of Hispanic engineering students enrolled to 5% and the Hispanic engineering graduation rate to 5%.

Additionally, to encourage broader participation in DEI efforts throughout our college, we will:

1. By Spring 2024, develop a current data strategy to facilitate initiatives and awareness around diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the college.
2. Empower students, faculty, staff, and college leadership to improve and be involved in DEI across all aspects of the Bagley College of Engineering so that by Fall 2025 at least one out of every three students, faculty, and staff have engaged in DEI training, participated in DEI activities, or provided leadership for DEI initiatives.