University of Southern Maine

Diversity Plan: 2003 - 2005

Engineering Department

GOAL I: Fostering a welcoming climate for a diverse population

The Engineering Department is arguably the most diverse department in USM in terms of the national origin of its students and faculty. The department has always assumed that its climate was welcoming for these students. However, there is always room for improvement. This year the department will poll members of minority groups in the engineering program to see if, indeed, the climate is as welcoming as we presume it to be and determine, what, if anything, could be done to make it more welcoming.

GOAL II: Education for and about a diverse population

The accreditation requirements for the electrical engineering program require that engineering curriculum contain "the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context", and also "to have a knowledge of contemporary issues." These topics are dealt with an ELE 300 Engineering Seminar. For a greater exposure to an academic experience which treats the multiplicity and diversity of communities and cultures locally, we look to the general education component of the degree program. The Engineering department has a representative on the Core Council which administers general education and will continue to work with this group to ensure that education about a diverse population is properly positioned in the general education taken not just by engineering majors but by all USM students.

GOAL III: Student recruitment and retention

The engineering program works with the Asst. Director of Student Services to actively recruit students of various nationalities from Portland High School which has the greatest multiethnic concentration in Maine. This year we will focus on tracking the success of those students enrolled here and locate resources and help for those with academic difficulties. One action item will be to actively recruit multiethnic students for the student IEEE branch.

GOAL IV: Increasing the diversity of faculty and staff

Of the six tenured faculty in the engineering department one is originally from Turkey, one is originally from Poland, one is originally from Brazil and one is a woman. The woman is currently acting in an administrative capacity. This year we will attempt to incorporate her more into the work of the department, particularly since we do not have enough female role models.