Auburn Engineering introduces Engineer Together inclusion and diversity initiative

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee has launched a college-wide initiative to spread awareness of the efforts the college is undertaking to promote an inclusive and supportive learning and working environment for all students, faculty and staff. Dubbed Engineer Together, the initiative aims to foster a positive and valuable experience for all members of the Auburn Engineering community.

“Engineer Together communicates that everyone belongs here. The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is for everyone,” said Oladiran Fasina, professor and head of the Department of Biosystems Engineering and a faculty representative on the Inclusion and Diversity Committee. “We want to see our future and current students, faculty and staff come together to support one another as an inclusive and welcoming community.” 

The Engineering Inclusion and Diversity Committee was established in 2018 to monitor the climate regarding the engagement of diverse student, staff and faculty populations and to coordinate and support activities to improve inclusion and diversity in the College of Engineering. Comprised of students, faculty and staff, this committee has held listening sessions and discussion groups, conducted campus climate surveys, hosted trainings and developed faculty resources, transparently communicating their activities with each of the college’s stakeholders.

The committee has also organized useful information related to the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the college, and university as a whole, on its website. There, visitors can find a wealth of resources for current students, future students, faculty and staff; a directory of college and university DEI events and news highlighting underrepresented individuals from throughout the college of engineering. The site also has an option to report a bias incident and provide direct feedback to committee members. 

ABET, the organization that accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied and natural science, engineering and engineering technology, including Auburn Engineering, considers DEI central to the practice of engineering. The organization is committed to promoting inclusive practices and diversity in their accredited educational programs.

"When we 'engineer together' and incorporate DEI into the fabric of an engineering education, students can become engineers who design better products, processes and communities that more accurately represent the needs and interests of the populations they serve," said Jessica Bowers, career development and coaching manager in the Auburn Engineering Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations. 

Fasina echoed the importance of awareness of DEI initiatives within engineering and the broader impacts that these efforts can have.

“Our college is stronger, and our students are better prepared to design with equity in mind, when we recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds of those around us,” he said.