Seed Committee | Climate Committee | Women in MCE | FUTURE Ignited | Title IX Efforts | Diversity Seminars | SOPS | Database of DEI Resources

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in MCE

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Seed Committee

The SEED in MCE Task force was established on July 2, 2020 by Professor José Andrade, with the charge reported in Appendix IV. The focus of the committee’s charge was to suggest an actionable plan, to be rolled out in the next 5-10 years, starting in Fall 2020, to expand our student body diversity and inclusion, focusing on the graduate students cohort.

The committee has met 6 times since charged. Initially, the committee focused on identifying areas of needs in the department and sought input from all members of the department. We were guided in part by recommendations from the Black Scientists and Engineers of Caltech in their institute-level call to action. A survey was sent out to students, post docs, faculty and staff to collect input (Appendix V). Responders utilized an online anonymized platform and/or sent suggestions via email.

The committee also organized a dedicated meeting with Hanna Song and Monique Thomas, from the Center for Inclusion and Diversity, to learn about existing programs and initiatives on campus and to discuss possible ideas to implement in MCE to improve its diversity, focusing specifically on the graduate student cohort.

• Report of the Task Force on “Sustainable Strategy for Enhancing Existing Diversity (SEED) in MCE" (pdf) 9/1/2020

SEED Committee Members

Domniki Asimaki, Faculty
Chiara Daraio, Faculty (Chair)
Marcus Lee, Graduate student
Maegan Tucker, Graduate student

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Climate Committee

The Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department (MCE) is dedicated to cultivating a community that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI). To advance our DEI goals, it is imperative that we develop an understanding of the current perspectives and experiences within our community. The Climate Committee was tasked with reporting on the current climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community/our department and providing recommendations on how to make sustainable improvements.

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Women in MCE

Women in MCE (WMCE) is a graduate student-led program open to all women faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students in MCE. Our main goals are: Build a community for women in MCE to connect, network, and increase the opportunities for younger members of the community to access the mentoring and support of senior members; Create a safe environment in which members of this group can explore and discuss relevant issues surrounding diversity and inclusion (and specifically women in STEM); Provide outreach and education events to the larger community outside of women in MCE.

( Emily de Jong, Tracy Lu )

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FUTURE Ignited

The goal of FUTURE Ignited is to diversify STEM with students of color who will go on to become incredible graduate students and scientific leaders in their respective fields.

• FUTURE Ignited Slides (pdf)
• MCE Recruitment Flyer (pdf)

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Title IX Efforts

The Equity and Title IX Office offers training on bystander intervention and promoting healthy lab dynamics. In this training, the Equity and Title IX Office primarily works to identify problematic situations that may come up, i.e. an inappropriate joke, and how members of the lab can respond in a constructive way to ensure the culture of the lab remains inclusive and supportive. Individual research group trainings are currently taking place over Zoom. To set up a training for your research group please contact the MCE Diversity Liaison.

Skills Based Workshop (pdf)

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MCE Diversity Seminars

To suggest an MCE Diversity seminar speaker and/or topic for a future seminar, please contact the SOPS Community Seminar Chair Widi Moestopo. and the MCE Diversity Liaison Jenni Campbell.

Past Seminars

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Society of Professional Students (SOPS)

The Society of Professional Students (SOPS) is a student-run organization for members and affiliates of Caltech's Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department. SOPS welcomes all graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff in MCE or in the research groups of MCE faculty.

SOPS Diversity Handout (pdf)

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Database of DEI Resources

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