The field of Systems Engineering places great value on diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, and cultures as a key means to realize a comprehensive, systems-level perspective on problems.
2020-2021 Departmental Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan
The SE Department’s DEI committee has four working groups, each with the task to focus on an area of DEI progress that aligns with WSCOE and University-level goals. The current working groups and members are:
- Faculty Hiring and Recruitment: Chrissy Charny, Mary Gomez, Jim Cale, Steve Simske, Tom Bradley
- Department Climate: Hugh Nguyen, Cailin Simpson, Ingrid Bridge, Katharyn Peterman
- Staff and Faculty Cultural Competency: Dan Herber, Cailin Simpson, Katharyn Peterman, Ingrid Bridge
- Outreach-Engagement: Jeremy Daily, Kamran Eftekhari Shahroudi
Working Group Goals
The goal for AY20-21 is to increase recruitment and hiring of individuals from groups historically underrepresented in Engineering.
The goal for AY20-21 is to establish a baseline understanding of the faculty/staff and student perception of the Systems Engineering department climate.
The goal for AY20-21 is to increase cultural competency of all Systems Engineering faculty, staff, and students to promote and support an inclusive department/research/academic climate.
The goal for AY20-21 is to meaningfully engage with new organizations that are not well represented in the Systems Engineering department.
Committee Members
DEI Committee Members
DEI Student Sub-Committee Members
- Hugh Nguyen (co-chair) – Distance D.Eng.
- Cailin Simpson (co-chair) – Distance Ph.D.
- Anicet Adjahossou – Distance Ph.D.
- Anmar Al Rikabi – Distance Ph.D.
- Ibtasam Arshad – Distance Cert.
- Basheer Bristow – Distance Ph.D.
- Ahmed Elhadeedy – Distance Ph.D.
- Robert Hawkes – Distance M.S.
- Jayesh Narsinghani – M.S.
- Frank Nguyen – Distance Ph.D.
- Raymond Paulson – Distance Ph.D.
- Angie Robinson – Ph.D.
- Aleksandra Scalco – Distance Ph.D.
- Gautham Sekar – M.S.
- Vanja Vlajnic – Distance Ph.D.
- Arthur Worlobah – Distance Ph.D.
DEI Student Sub-Committee Member Profiles
Hugh Nguyen (co-chair)
Current Residence: San Diego, CA
Education: B.S. Electrical Engineering, UCSD; M.S. Electrical Engineering (SDSU); M.S. Systems Engineering (CSU)
Employment: 22 years in engineering (10 years in private sector, 12 years in Government)
Previous DEI experience: Asian and Vietnamese Student Associations at UCSD and SDSU; student member in SDSU Admission Advisory Committee; chaired the Culture Advisory Board at Northrop Grumman; member of First Line Supervisor Council at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
Hobbies: Gardening, fixing stuffs, hiking, traveling
Cailin Simpson (co-chair)
Current Residence: Minneapolis, MN
Discovering Systems @ CSU: I met Dr. Ron Sega through networking and he introduced me to the program and Dr. Simske.
Why a Ph.D.? I have always enjoyed solving problems by looking at the “big picture” and how things should work together to achieve the “big picture” – I had no idea that is what SE was. But once I found out, I was hooked!
DEI: I am passionate about representation of people that come from different backgrounds in engineering. It is important to have true diversity of thought when solving the world’s most intricate problems.
Hobbies: I love spending time with my partner and dogs by doing activities outdoor like hiking, canoeing, and sailing.
Anicet Adjahossou
Current Residence: Denver, CO
Discovering Systems @ CSU: I attended a UN conference in Seattle Lake City where I learned about many discoveries, leading to solutions to global challenges in infrastructure, water, health, energy and the environment, made at the CSU, and then I contacted Professor Neil who introduced me to the CSU’s SE Department.
Why a Ph.D.? What inspired me to pursue the Ph.D. program at CSU is to learn about new applications of systemic processes in society that improve the world we live in.
DEI: What motivated me to be a part of the DEI student committee is to contribute to creating environments conducive to feedback, supporting diversity and being open to student humanity. Volunteering my time to help others in need, enriching diversity and inclusion in order to reduce redundancy and conflicting thinking within the community.
Employment: I work in UN humanitarian operations and help refugees and people in need. In addition, humor, telling stories of the great kings of Africa and their contributions to the development of the continent.
Frank Nguyen
Current Residence: Orange County, Southern California
Why a Ph.D.? What inspired me to pursue the Ph.D. program at CSU is the need to integrate the multiple disciplines into a unique system to solve the complex problems.
DEI: What motivated me to be a part of the DEI student committee is because of the great value of diverse team that everybody can share and learn from each other in order to grow stronger together.
Hobbies: I play ping-pong and guitar at home when I do have free time.
Aleksandra Scalco
Current Residence: Charleston, SC
Discovering Systems @ CSU: Professional mentors introduced me to the CSU SE department
Why a Ph.D.? What inspired me to pursue the Ph.D. program at CSU is the need to solve a real-world problem.
DEI: What motivated me to be a part of the DEI student committee is a natural extension of the joy of witnessing and supporting everyone in realizing their individual gifts, particularly when it comes to STEM (but whatever they chose to pursue in life). I am also a member of the Executive Diversity Council (EDC) at my workplace.
Mentorships: I actively mentor young adults (high school – college) who are developing their own life’s journey and careers. This is either by formal internships or actively engaged (e.g. weekly touch points by telephone, email, or Zoom meetings).
Resources
Upcoming Events
Educational Resources
- Educate Yourself Blog || Office of the Vice President for Diversity
- Recordings of the DEI in the Clean Energy Workforce Webinars || Colorado Collaboratory
- Tense Times Activities and Handouts || College of Liberal Arts
- DEI Contacts || Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
- ENGAGE Series || Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
- Student Resources || Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Missing an event or resource? Let us know.
