The Grainger College of Engineering

Grainger Engineering for Social Justice

The Grainger College of Engineering is successful in its educational and research missions because we are bold. It is well past time for us to be bold in the way we address the dangerous and harmful role that racism plays in academia. Prejudice, racism, and discrimination, whether deadly or subtle, should have no place in our world. We stand with those who are actively fighting against racism and discrimination. Provided here are resources dedicated to improving our College's policies, practices, and culture in support of these efforts.

IDEA Institute Resources

The Institute for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access will serve as a focal point for expanding the visibility and impact of diversity efforts in The Grainger College of Engineering. The IDEA institute offers anti-racism resources including webinars, blogs, reading materials, action items, talks, and more.

Visit Website     OIIR Anti-racism Summer Learning Series

Webinars & Op-Eds

Lara Hebert speaking during webinar

Grainger Engineering Webinar

Addressing Social Justice in Engineering Education & Research

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IDEA Institute Webinar Series

Race and Cultural Diversity

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IDEA Institute Webinar Series

Being an Ally

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IDEA Institute Webinar Series:

Addressing Racism in Academia

View Webinar

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Inside Higher Ed Article

Institutional Mixed Messaging

By Amy Wagoner Johnson

Read Op-Ed

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APS Physics Webinar

From Passion to Action: Levers
& Tools for Making Physics
Inclusive & Equitable

With Philip W. Phillips

View Webinar

Headshot of Tiffani L. Williams.

Communications of the ACM Article

'Underrepresented Minority'
Considered Harmful, Racist Language

By Tiffani L. Williams

Read Op-Ed

Campus Resources

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The Office for Access and Equity »

The Office for Access and Equity serves as a resource to campus units by facilitating compliance awareness and promoting an inclusive community through diversity, education, and outreach initiatives.

A large multicultural group of people standing together with their arms around one another in front of a fountain.

 

The Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Relations »

The Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations seeks to improve campus climate by providing transformative learning experiences to the Illinois community that result in an appreciation for diversity and cross-cultural engagement.

A rectangular black and brown brick building with large glass windows.

Cultural and Resource Centers

Our campus cultural and resource centers provide students with programming and support for students of diverse backgrounds.

 

Administrative Offices and Programs

The Morrill Engineering Program (MEP) empowers African American, Hispanic, and Native American engineering students, supports their success as scholars, and leverages a community of students, staff, and alumni to achieve excellence in Grainger Engineering.

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The Institute for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access will serve as a focal point for expanding the visibility and impact of diversity efforts in The Grainger College of Engineering.

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Women in Engineering is a college-wide program dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for students in The Grainger College of Engineering.

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The Grainger College of Engineering Diversity Committee is made up of faculty, students, and academic professionals. They advise the dean and college and departmental leadership on programs for recruiting underrepresented students, hiring practices, strategic planning, and ways of fostering a more inclusive climate within the college.

Youth Outreach Programs

Campustown

 

Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering »

The Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering program introduces talented and diverse pre-college students to active college students, and together they explore engineering and the sciences through hands-on, minds-on activities. WYSE strives to overcome opportunity gaps by providing students from underrepresented populations with opportunities to experience success.

Campustown

 

I-STEM »

I-STEM collaborates with Illinois campus units and external organizations locally and around the world to foster STEM citizenship through communication and public engagement, foster undergraduate and graduate STEM education reform, and advocate for STEM education.

Academic, Research, and Entrepreneurship Programs

ARISE is a program that provides academically talented students coming from low -income backgrounds support and preparation to successfully earn their engineering degrees from the University of Illinois. If accepted, students are directly admitted to The Grainger College of Engineering.

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AWARE supports entrepreneurship training, counseling, and networking and includes an entrepreneur-in-residence familiar with the needs of those from underrepresented backgrounds, small proof-of-concept grants, and targeted mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.

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Illinois Engineering Ambassadors is a professional outreach program sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Programs in the College of Engineering. These ambassadors serve as role models of engineering to those who are classically underrepresented and underserved in engineering fields. EA seeks to change the conversation about what it means to be an engineer by focusing on how engineers are positively impacting the health, happiness, and safety of our world.

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MERGE is a diversity recruitment initiative that gives talented students from underrepresented groups from across the nation an opportunity to visit our campus early in the application process.

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The SURGE fellowship program is for incoming graduate students from underrepresented communities planning to complete a doctoral program.

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Student Groups

The National Society of Black Engineers increases the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

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Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) is dedicated to the development of LGBTQIA+ students in STEM fields.

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The Society of Women Engineers provides mentoring relationships and professional development opportunities for a diverse network of women engineers on campus.

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize their fullest potential and impacts the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.

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The Society for the Advancement of Chicano/ Hispanic and Native Americans in the Sciences (SACNAS) promotes diversity in STEM by encouraging and providing students with resources to succeed in the sciences.

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Engineering courses in:

Social Justice

Student Mentoring

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Service