From diversity conferences to mentorship programs, U-M CEE’s DEI Committee is empowering students, staff, and faculty to lead innovative projects that create a more inclusive and supportive engineering community.
What does it take to build a truly inclusive and supportive community in engineering? U-M CEE is finding out through an exciting new initiative by its DEI Committee. By funding innovative, inclusion-centered projects proposed by students, staff, and faculty, CEE is empowering its community to lead the way in fostering diversity and equity. Here are the seven standout projects that received funding this year.
This project, proposed by student services manager Matt Blank and graduate programs associate Jackie Graniel, seeks to boost the recruitment of domestic and diverse students into CEE graduate programs. To achieve this, CEE participated in two of the largest national diversity conferences in STEM: the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). These events provided an opportunity to engage with over 3,000 prospective students from diverse backgrounds. As first-time attendees, CEE secured a booth at SACNAS to maximize visibility and foster interactions. Activities included networking, sharing informational materials and building meaningful connections with potential applicants, aiming to increase enrollment in our MSE, MEng, and PhD programs.
The second project chosen by CEE, proposed by PhD candidate Martha Struve, will be a series of documentary screenings centered on justice and equity within the civil and environmental engineering fields, followed by discussion sessions and social gatherings. Watch parties will take place over the course of one to two weeks, with each event highlighting a different aspect of the field. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner during the screenings. Afterward, Struve will facilitate discussions to explore the themes and challenges presented in the films and their relevance to civil and environmental engineering. Potential documentaries Struve has proposed for the series include The Smell of Money and Taken for a Ride.
Although there are many formal opportunities for undergraduates to engage with the department and professors, informal avenues for connecting with PhD students, postdocs or faculty members are limited, leaving fewer opportunities for mentorship and relationship-building. This project, spearheaded by Michigan Institute for Data & AI in Society research fellow Xin Wei, proposes the creation of a monthly study group titled “Journey Through CEE: From Undergrad to Future Success.” The group will primarily focus on students from underrepresented minorities in the CEE department but will remain open to all. Each meeting will feature speakers, such as PhD students, postdocs or faculty members, who will discuss topics including course experiences, academic research, career planning and personal experiences, like managing stress and overcoming challenges. Through this study group, Wei will enhance connections between undergraduates and the broader CEE community, fostering a supportive and informal mentorship environment.
This project from CEE graduate student Hunter Richards aims to connect CEE students working in campus labs with local high schools, where they will share their research and explain their specific fields of study.
The plan involves visits to five high schools, with 4-6 CEE students presenting on key topics such as water treatment, construction, air quality, geotechnical engineering, sustainable infrastructure, and transportation. Presentations will begin with a general introduction to the field, followed by a focus on each presenter’s area of interest or research. Designed to engage students of varying levels of background knowledge, these presentations will also promote effective science communication to the general public.
Presenters will prepare 15-30 minute sessions, incorporating models or interactive elements (e.g., a water filtration demonstration for water quality or a lab prototype). To show appreciation and build community within CEE, participants will be treated to lunch after the presentations.
A CEE department liaison—either a faculty member or someone from the recruitment committee—will attend to address general questions about civil and environmental engineering, particularly at the University of Michigan.
CEE undergraduate Layla Ibrahim and Mary Fouania will launch a new student organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) engineering students. The project’s goal will be to foster community through social and professional development opportunities that broaden perspectives and strengthen connections.
As part of the club’s professional development initiatives, they plan to host the Diversity in Engineering Speaker Series during the Winter 2025 semester. This series will feature four speakers — MENA professionals from across the country with engineering backgrounds — and will be open to the entire University of Michigan community, not just engineering students. The series will focus on engineering for social impact, inviting speakers to share how their work has contributed to building a better world. Attendees will have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations and ask questions during these events.
Through this organization, students will be exposed to a wide range of career paths and opportunities available with an engineering degree, inspiring and empowering members to use their skills and voices to make a positive impact in their future endeavors.
“CHILDREN UNITE US,” a project proposed by graduate students Laura Constain-Montoya and Debadrita Das, is designed to bring together the children of students, staff and professors in a fun and engaging setting while providing parents with an opportunity to connect, share experiences and build a sense of community. The event will take place in Launch Family Entertainment Ann Arbor, a trampoline park available for all ages. This project aims to foster stronger connections within the department by creating a welcoming and family-friendly environment.
Proposed by CEE student services members Lynn Shock, Matt Blank, and Jackie Graniel, this project aims to foster a more inclusive and connected community through dedicated appreciation weeks for undergraduates and graduates. Events will include coffee hours, professional headshots, and creative activities like making desk buddies or building sleep kits. Students can also enjoy trivia sessions with prizes, sustainable gardening workshops, and healthy snack stations. These initiatives offer opportunities to connect, unwind, and prepare for academic challenges while promoting mental well-being across the department.
CEE takes pride in fostering an inclusive atmosphere through innovative initiatives like these. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact each project will have in shaping a more supportive and connected CEE community.