Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Creativity and innovation are fostered in environments where diversity, equity, and inclusion exist. Incorporation of these values into our interactions, teaching and research programs is essential to ensure that the knowledge created and the students we graduate are connected to our global society.

Melissa Burt
Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
Melissa.Burt@colostate.edu
970-491-8706

Welcome to the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pages. We intend these pages to serve as a resource for faculty, staff and students to continue to collaborate, learn and invest in diversity programs and activities. As engineers and scientists, we only succeed if all people and ideas are valued, particularly given the complexity of the global challenges that we face. 

Since Dean David McLean created my position in 2018, we have developed a baseline to measure our success, identified areas for improvement, and created training opportunities and programs that we will continue to grow. See our progress to date and contact me if you’d like to help the college achieve its goals. We look forward to continuing our journey with you.

Source News: Five questions with Melissa Burt

College Diversity Initiatives and Strategic Plan

We have developed a baseline to measure our success, identified areas for improvement, and created training opportunities and programs.
Diversity Initiatives

Faculty/Staff Professional Development

Professional development and inclusive teaching resources are available to all faculty and staff of the college.
Resource section

Student Organizations and activities

Diversity Programs in Engineering (DPE) builds a strong community that embraces the creative ideas that diverse groups contribute to engineering research and projects.
Engineering Success Center

WSCOE Climate Survey Results

This sub report focuses on the results of the survey component of the assessment for Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering.
Download PDF

We embrace Colorado State University’s Principles of Community of Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice as our core values.

Inclusion

Integrity

Respect

Service

Social Justice

News and events

ENGAGE series

The ENGineers AdvancinG Equity and Inclusion (ENGAGE) series features seminars and workshops to enhance the visibility of diverse scholars, scientists, engineers, and educators working on equity and inclusion.  

More about the series

Yvette E. Pearson, Associate Dean for Accreditation, Assessment, and Strategic Initiatives in the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University and Founder of The Pearson Evaluation and Education Research Group

REDEFINE Engineering Education: Disrupting Systemic Barriers to Equity and Inclusion
Yvette E. Pearson, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE

December 3, 2020, Virtual presentation on Zoom (RSVP required)

With examples from her research and leadership roles, Dr. Pearson will present strategies for accomplishing this rooted in her call to REDEFINE engineering education: “RE-image who we see as engineers and what we see as engineering; DE-silo education and problem solving; and FINE-tune climate and culture in academia and practice.”

Information and RSVP

Expanding PROGRESS: CSU mentoring program receives $3.5M from NSF to build on success
Melissa Burt selected for IAspire Leadership Academy and National Academies committee
ASEE honors college with Bronze award for diversity and inclusion
CSU Department of Atmospheric Science accepted into AGU diversity program

Engineering in Solidarity:
A Message from Dean McLean

"We know we have work to do. We must stand up and speak out in support of one another."

Dear WSCOE Community:

On Friday, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity shared a powerful message of solidarity that was reiterated by President McConnell in our stance against racism, hate and violence.

For our college community members of color, we condemn these racist and social injustices that continue to perpetuate fear and marginalization.  We acknowledge the fatigue, emotional stress, frustration and deep pain that is continually experienced by Black and African American members of our community, and we are in this together to support you. 

We are committed to advancing the diversity of our college community, building a culture of inclusion, and researching and embracing equitable solutions to global challenges. We are committed to being agents of change to break down structures of inequity that perpetuate racism and bias.

We know we have work to do. We must stand up and speak out in support of one another.

Our campus community has a number of resources that I encourage you to read and utilize:

If you experience or witness an act of bias, it is important that you report it using CSU’s Bias Reporting System.

Black Rams Matter.  Let’s take care of each other.

Dave McLean

Addressing racism:
A Message from Dean McLean and staff

"This most recent incident, described in the Collegian as the public posting of a fake restaurant that disparages Asians, is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable."

Dear WSCOE community:

It is greatly upsetting to us that we are sending out yet another note about an act of racism or hatred that has been tied to our college. This most recent incident, described in the Collegian as the public posting of a fake restaurant that disparages Asians, is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. The article specifically references our college: “Students associated with the Instagram account and the reviews on Google are predominantly connected to the engineering department.”

We are saddened that some members of our campus community seem to have no empathy or understanding of the harmful impact of their hateful message on their fellow students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. To be a member of the WSCOE community means we care about people. We solve problems for people. We take the best ideas and innovation from as many places as possible for the best outcome, which means that we have ZERO tolerance for racism and hatred. The college is working on a number of initiatives outlined in the diversity strategic plan on this page to ensure that everyone feels welcome here, and we are all responsible for creating a place of inclusion. There is no place for people in our community who cannot embrace the university’s Principles of Community.

This is articulated through the  statement below released by the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center (APACC) in response to this incident: 

The Asian Pacific American Cultural Center (APACC) at Colorado State University is deeply disgusted and condemns the presence and increased following of this Instagram account for a non-existent restaurant. The implications of such an establishment are to propagate Anti-Asian sentiment and must be seen unequivocally as an act of racism. Even if such an establishment has the intention of situational humor, this deeply offensive creation publicizes racial vilification and continues to deter us from our mission of racial equity and inclusiveness.

Navigating COVID-19 has been made difficult during these challenging times from continued microaggressions from our national leadership referring to the “Chinese Virus” and “Kung Flu.” With the recent rise of racism and hate directed at the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community, this account desecrates the role and importance of food to APIDA culture.  This highly offensive account only heightens and denigrates the narrative of the Asian community by perpetuating problematic Asian stereotypes including racial colloquialisms, insulting logo, and the national narrative of the “Chinese Virus.”

The various accounts on social media (Instagram, Yelp and Google) are a continuous reminder of the harmful, appalling, and disgusting nuances that white supremacy has created and allows to be perpetuated with little accountability, by encouraging the mockery and oppression of the APAIDA community.

We cannot stay silent any longer.  APACC denounces this fake establishment and supports the university efforts to ask that this account be removed.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are feeling upset and hurt by this incident or if you want to share additional concerns. We stand together against racism. We are here to support you.

Dave McLean, Dean

Melissa Burt, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion

Anthony Marchese, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs

Resources

Engineering Student Resources

Claudia Hernandez
Outreach and Equity Coordinator 

Claudia.Hernandez@colostate.edu
970-491-7088

Claudia works with current students, student organizations, summer program initiatives, and outreach

Source News: Five questions with Claudia Hernandez

United in STEMM Graphic

United in STEMM is an initiative to institutionalize support, learn of students’ needs, and address gaps as we know them for undergraduate students of color, regardless of their gender expression or sexual orientation, in STEMM disciplines currently enrolled at CSU.

Information

Engineering Faculty and Staff Resources

Fall trainings: CSU Office of the Vice President for Diversity

Office of the Vice President for Diversity racial justice-focused sessions

In order to directly address antiracism at Colorado State University, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity announces a series of racial justice-focused sessions to be held throughout the fall 2020 semester.

CSU eID is required to access the webpage for added Zoom security. Registration is required. Sessions limited to 100 attendees.

Office of the Vice President for Diversity community discussions

Join Dr. Cori Wong for a series of community discussions on a variety of topics surrounding equity, anti-racism work, and diversity at CSU. Topics and descriptions available at the link.

CSU eID is required to access the webpage for added Zoom security. Registration is not required. Sessions limited to 300 attendees.

Professional Development

Inclusive Teaching Resources

Previous trainings

  • “Strategies for Responding to Sexual Harassment and Improving Workplace Climate,” 2020
  • Professional Development Workshop Series “Increasing Inclusivity in the WSCOE Classroom for Faculty/Staff” in Collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, 2019

University Diversity Resources

tea lights

Faith, Belief and Religious Observances

This calendar was created to highlight the wide diversity of holiday, belief and faith traditions being celebrated by CSU students, faculty and staff and in our community.

Reporting a bias-related incident

  • If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911.
  • If you believe you have been the victim of a crime, bias-related or otherwise, please contact CSU Police Department at 970-491-6425.
  • If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional difficulty or mental health illness, call the CSU Counseling Center at 970-491-7111 if you are a student, or the Employee Assistance Program 970-491-1527 if you are an employee.

If we are provided with contact information for the reporting party or impacted party someone from the appropriate office or resource will reach out to those impacted by the reported behavior. 

All reports will be treated with discretion and a reasonable expectation of confidentiality. Information from this form may be shared with appropriate individuals in order to help protect the safety and health of those involved in any incident. 

You may remain anonymous when reporting through this form. However, it’s very helpful to have your contact information and name in case there is a need to obtain more information about the situation or clarify information. Every attempt will be made to review and address the concerns you submit on this form, but without adequate information, the university may not be able to respond as effectively. Therefore your contact information is strongly encouraged.