August 22, 2019

The ASEE selected Mizzou Engineering for a Bronze Level award, the highest given out in this recognition cycle.

The American Society for Engineering Education recently launched their Diversity Recognition Program to recognize schools and colleges of engineering for their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Schools committed to the Dean’s Diversity Pledge in 2017 followed by an application for the Diversity Recognition Program outlining their efforts in the area. Each institution was reviewed twice by a 24-person panel. Mizzou Engineering’s efforts earned it a spot on the list as one of 74 colleges in the nation to earn recognition in the first year of the program.

The ASEE selected Mizzou Engineering for a Bronze Level award, the highest given out in this recognition cycle. The award shows that the College “is among the nation’s leaders in inclusive excellence,” according to the ASEE.

“Diversity and inclusivity are important goals for our College,” MU Engineering Dean Elizabeth Loboa said. “We strive for excellence in these areas, not recognition; instead, we aim to improve the experiences of our students and to enhance the engineering profession. We appreciate this honor and what it represents.”

Through its overall work as a College and the efforts of its Office of Diversity and Outreach Initiatives and multitude of diverse student organizations, Mizzou Engineering showcased what the ASEE said was a demonstration “that the unit is committed to the following outcomes”:

1. Establishing baseline support for groups underrepresented in engineering
2. Quantifiably analyzing and assessing unit composition, policies, culture, and climate related to all groups underrepresented in engineering
3. Implementing programs and initiatives that strengthen the K-12 or community college pipeline thereby reducing significant barriers related to long-term growth
4. Developing an action plan focused on continuous improvement.

The application included the MU College of Engineering’s Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan, as well as summaries of our programs, such as the Multi-cultural engineering scholars, STEM Cubs outreach camp, Diverse Engineering Professionals Conference, our diversity and inclusivity education opportunities, and more.

“It is wonderful that the ASEE is advocating for and supporting the work of colleges across the country to model a culture of inclusive excellence in engineering,” Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives Tojan Rahhal said.