Strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion
The College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University is committed to engaging a diverse and connected global community, and to upholding the principle of equity, which, as a partner to excellence, is the foundation for ensuring that faculty, staff, and students have opportunities to succeed and thrive.
As an engineering college with global influence, we understand that diverse perspectives lead to creativity and innovation. We also recognize that when we intentionally recruit and engage everyone, including individuals from groups historically underrepresented in engineering, we can harness our collective strengths and perspectives to increase impact and reach.
To these ends, the College of Engineering developed a new strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the spring of 2021. The DEI Strategic Plan is rooted in Carnegie Mellon’s longstanding commitment to diversity as a core value and one of utmost importance to the continued growth and vitality of the university.
Source: College of Engineering
Mission, values, and definitions
Mission
To achieve academic and professional excellence through diverse representation fostered by an equitable and inclusive culture that enables students, faculty, and staff to reach their full potential.
Source: College of Engineering
Values
As members of the Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering community, we are committed to excellence, innovation, being genuine, diversity, respect for others, integrity, trusting, and being trustworthy. To support these values and advance this strategic plan, we embrace the three dimensions of cultural humility, which align with our definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion:
- Lifelong learning and critical self-reflection
- Recognizing and mitigating power imbalances
- Maintaining a respectful community and strong partnerships through institutional accountability
Definitions
We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and define these terms as follows:
Diversity
Diversity is recognizing difference and valuing that every individual is unique. This uniqueness is shaped by race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, genetic information, belief, veteran status, socioeconomic level, and other life experiences.
Source: College of Engineering
Equity
Equity is intentionally eliminating barriers and mitigating biases that prevent full participation and access to resources and networks for underrepresented groups across our faculty, staff, and student populations.
Inclusion
Inclusion is the active, intentional, and ongoing process to increase awareness, empathetic understanding, and sense of belonging. Inclusion results in broadening perspectives and intentionally engaging historically marginalized groups to make our community a better place for all.
Source: College of Engineering
Strategic objectives
The College of Engineering has the following strategic objectives with respect to DEI:
- Engage everyone in DEI efforts
- Foster an equitable and inclusive environment
- Achieve and maintain diverse representation
Review and periodic audit of results
There will be regular review of, and reporting on, efforts to meet these strategic DEI objectives by academic and administrative heads. Information for review and reporting will be collected from: department strategic plans and annual reports, faculty annual reports, external feedback from department and college review and advisory boards, and other sources.