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Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The McKelvey School of Engineering believes in creating and maintaining a culture that embraces and appreciates the strength and value of differences.
These differences include gender, race, ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, philosophy, disability and sexual orientation.
We realize there is an opportunity for growth in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion, and we are committed to addressing longstanding social injustice and inequality within the school and larger community. We are developing new programs, policies and resources, but most importantly, we are listening. By working together, we can enact change.
Meet the committee
The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee aims to support, guide, and direct the school’s mission and vision toward diversity, equity, and inclusion. Meet the members, learn more about its initiatives and learn how to help the committee reach its goals.
Mission statement
Our school seeks to produce new knowledge that changes the world by promoting independent inquiry in engineering research and education with an emphasis on scientific excellence, innovation and collaboration. We affirm our responsibility to promote equity and diversity as well as to cultivate an inclusive environment. We acknowledge that our school’s mission may only be achieved by leveraging the diversity of our lived experiences and cultures.
Our vision
To cultivate an environment where Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is indispensable to the pursuit of excellence and distinction and that enables our faculty, staff, and students to achieve their full potential with intentional practices that respect the humanity of all.
Women in Engineering
The McKelvey School of Engineering is committed to supporting and empowering female students, faculty, alumna and staff.
Our Women & Engineering initiative provides a supportive community and promotes career development opportunities for alumnae, students, faculty and staff, and student organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers and Women in Computer Science aim to empower and encourage students who are pursuing engineering and tech degrees.
Supporting LGBTQ students
WashU was ranked No. 4 by CollegeChoice in its list of Best LGBTQ Schools.
The typical college-aged questions of “Who will I hang out with?” and “Will I fit in?” are magnified for LGBTQIA students. McKelvey Engineering is proud to provide our students a safe, supportive space to be their true selves.
Celebrating Black engineers
“The life and contributions of the Knox brothers clearly show that while brilliance is precious, having an environment where brilliance from all sources can be realized and appreciated is what paves the way for revolutionary scientific breakthroughs.”
Sharniece Holland, MEMS lecturer, recently co-authored a feature on William and Lawrence Knox, brothers who made significant contributions in a number of areas, including the Manhattan Project in the 1940s.
Report a bias incident
To report bias (Students): Mark Kamimura-Jiménez, PhD, mkamimura@wustl.edu
To report bias (Faculty and staff): Nicole Hudson, hudsonnc@wustl.edu
University resources
No matter who you are, the McKelvey School of Engineering and WashU have resources available to help empower you in your studies and research.
- For students
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- The Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports and advocates for undergraduate, graduate and professional students from underrepresented and/or marginalized populations, creates collaborative partnerships with campus and community partners, and promotes dialogue and social change among all students.
- The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin Chancellor’s Fellowship (OCF) is an elite cohort of outstanding graduate students with diverse backgrounds and from varied disciplines. The OCF is committed to promoting diversity in all dimensions including cultural, socioeconomic, gender, racial, ethnic, geographical, philosophical/religious, and other distinctive backgrounds and perspectives.
- Disabilities Resources is where students with disabilities or suspected disabilities can request accommodations and services (such as additional time on an exam or note-taking ) to ensure equal access to the programs and services of the university.
- The Office for Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life is an initiative at Washington University to encourage interfaith understanding, support the diverse religious, spiritual and ethical communities on campus, and facilitate interfaith student leadership development.
- The Office of International Students and Scholars assists international students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty. Resources and support include English-language courses, as well as information on immigration and visa aid.
- The Office of Military and Veteran Services is Washington University’s focal point for military and veteran matters, including transitioning military-connected students into higher education, providing and connecting students with programs and services, and partnering across campus and in the community.
- The TRiO Program Support Services supports the increase of university students who are first in their families to go to college, low-income by federal guidelines, or have a learning or physical disability. The TRiO program provides individual support to TRiO Scholars through collaborative approaches to ensure enriching, engaging, full and fulfilling transition, retention, graduation and post-graduation experiences and success.
- For faculty and staff
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- The Academy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was created for staff and faculty members, to become the university’s ‘primary forum for changing climate and culture’ by housing diversity and inclusion resources, including training resources, support for campus affinity groups, and annual events and recognition ceremonies.
- Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Bias Policies support and protect diversity and inclusion at the university. Find a list of faculty, student and staff policies, as well as general anti-discrimination policies.
- The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity focuses primarily on faculty diversity and development, consulting and collaborating with Washington University’s schools on their diversity and inclusion goals.
- SafeZones Training for Faculty and Staff offers faculty, graduate teaching assistants and staff inclusivity training to promote safer and more secure living, learning and research environments for WashU’s LGBTQIA* students.
- The Campus Diversity Collaborative (CDC) encourages campus conversation on issues of diversity and inclusion, and fosters a support network for WashU professionals who are passionate about these issues.
- The Preferred Name Policy offers suggestions to faculty on supporting students' use of preferred-name, as well as links to pronunciation guides that may be helpful when learning the names of international students. Faculty, staff, and students are permitted to use a preferred name on most university-related records without a legal name change.
- Anti-discrimination and anti-bias policies developed by the university aim to help guide faculty and staff in providing an inclusive environment for all members of the community.
- Faculty Information from Disability Resources has prepared information and a model syllabus statement for faculty to assist in supporting disabled students in the classroom.
Share your feedback
The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee is eager to hear from members of the McKelvey Engineering community. Students, faculty and staff are invited to share potential programming ideas, suggestions for future EDI initiatives or feedback about current programs.
This form is NOT to be used to report bias incidents. To report incidents of bias, prejudice or discrimination involving students, complete the Student Conduct Incident Report form. For incidents involving faculty or staff, contact WashU HR, the university's Title IX coordinator and/or the Office of the Ombuds.