Diversity Equity & Inclusion
In our engagement in engineering education and research we benefit strongly and unequivocally from our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, for all our constituencies, students, faculty and staff.
For engineering to remain society’s engine of innovation, we must change the conversation about what engineers do, who they are, and what they look like. We believe that changing perceptions about engineering is a necessity. By engaging our whole society in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, we increase our innovation capacity through the diversity of thought and ideas. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the mission of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and we have made a number of significant efforts to enhance diversity in all sections of the engineering pipeline.
Racial Equity-Minded Action
Representation Matters:
Increase pipelines and pathways to attract Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff with the goal of meeting or exceeding national averages.
Action Plan:
Review practices of attracting and recruiting students, faculty and staff in all Viterbi Academic and non-Academic Departments and Units.
Create and start implementing a specific plan for increasing representation in each department and unit.
In the process, follow the principles and recommendations of the Parity Objective.
Monitor the success of the implementation and of the efficacy of the plan and provide updates twice a semester.
Engagement & Support Matters:
Retain and support community of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff.
Action Plan:
Review practices for developing and retaining students, faculty and staff in all Viterbi Academic and non-Academic Departments and Units.
Create and start implementing a specific plan for increased engagement and support including advising, mentoring, participation in high-impact programs, and promoting academic and career success in each department and unit.
Explore inclusive teaching practices to identify pedagogical strategies to promote equity, actively engage all students, and to reduce achievement gaps.
Explore collaboration with minority serving institutions and community organizations to collectively support research and innovation opportunities.
In the process, follow the principles and recommendations of the Parity Objective.
Monitor the success of the implementation and of the efficacy of the plan and provide updates twice a semester.
Equity & Inclusion Matters:
Promote an inclusive and equitable environment conducive for all members of the community to thrive and realize their full potential.
Action Plan:
Provide educational resources for students, faculty, and staff.
Review policies, norms, and procedures to promote equity-minded practices in all Viterbi Academic and non-Academic Departments and Units.
Create and implement plan to collect, monitor, and report data on demographics and experiences of students, faculty and staff.
In partnership with the University, enhance system for faculty, staff, and students to register concerns, communicate formal complaints, and receive neutral guidance and support.
Establish Employee Resource Groups to promote community building and cultural awareness.
Initiatives
Center for Engineering Diversity
K-12 STEM Center
Women in Engineering
Viterbi Summer Institute
REACH
Viterbi Black Employee Resource Group
Office for Diversity & Strategic Initiatives
The Office of Diversity and Strategic Initiatives aims to make Viterbi more inclusive, and equitable. Vice Dean Brandi Jones provides strategic leadership for Viterbi initiatives to enhance the experiences of students, faculty, and staff. DSI develops and fosters partnerships to advance initiatives while consulting with senior leadership, faculty, and staff on matters concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Provide strategic leadership for initiatives to increase diversity and enhance experiences of students, faculty, and staff
Develop and foster partnerships to help advance national initiatives
Advise dean, faculty, and staff on complex matters concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion
Provide consultation to department chairs, faculty, search committees
Collaborate on research proposals to broaden participation of underrepresented populations
Serve as designated neutral; provide confidential, informal, independent and impartial assistance
Assist with diversity strategic planning and creating inclusive practices
Contacts
Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Brandi P.
Jones
Student Success Initiatives
Traci Thomas
Navarro
Monica
Del Los Santos
Faculty Recruitment
Dr. Timothy
Pinkston
Dr. Malancha
Gupta
K-12 Outreach
Dr. Darin
Gray
Dr. Katie
Mills
Student Organizations
National Partnerships
USC Resources
External Resources
ASEE Dean’s Diversity Initiative
As chair of the ASEE Diversity Committee, Dean Yannis Yortsos led the effort that has now culminated in more than 220 engineering schools pledging participation.
https://diversityrecognition.asee.org/background/
To accelerate the achievement of the Diversity Pledge goals, the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program (ADRP) was created to publicly recognize those engineering and engineering technology colleges that make significant, measurable progress in increasing the diversity, inclusion, and degree attainment outcomes of their programs.
USC Viterbi was awarded exemplar status
https://diversityrecognition.asee.org/recognized-institutions/
News
Read More
Cell Article Calls to End U.S. Funding Discrimination Against Black Scientists
Network of biomedical engineering academics from across the nation focus on removing this barrier to success
Read More
Toward A More Equitable USC Viterbi
In a recent memo, Dean Yannis C. Yortsos and Brandi P. Jones, vice dean for diversity and strategic initiatives, summarize how USC Viterbi plans to empower Black, Latinx and Indigenous students, faculty and staff.
Read More
“Escape Velocity” Podcast Series Explores Race, Academia and STEM
New USC Viterbi series captures the stories of Black faculty, students and academic leaders.
Read More
Andrea Hodge Appointed as Chair of the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Materials science expert begins a three-year term on August 16, 2020.
Read More
USC Viterbi Achieves Gender Parity in its Entering Class
Women now comprise 50% of the entering undergraduate class, a historic record for USC Engineering.
Read More
A 12-year Odyssey from Fine Arts to Electrical Engineering
Randi Burley’s path to engineering has been anything but traditional.
Read More
USC Viterbi Engineer Builds Bridge from San Diego to Tijuana
Viry Martino, a USC Viterbi alumna and civil engineer, played a critical role in the construction of the Cross Border Xpress
Read More
Helping La Peñita Through COVID-19
Travis Mendoza, ’16, came to Mexico to build a hotel; when the pandemic struck, he began to focus more on building a community.