The School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI has produced notable DEI accomplishments over the past several years. For example, when comparing 2012 to 2019, we increased the percentage of 1) students of color and 2) women pursing degrees in our School by 46% and 50%, respectively. In 2019, we submitted a self-study document to the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) as part of the ASEE’s Diversity Recognition Program (ADRP). The 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. Based on our self-study application, our School was selected, after a national peer-review process, as an inaugural member of ADRP. Moreover, our School was among a small number of engineering colleges/schools nationwide to be recognized as an “exemplar” among the inaugural set of ADRP selectees.
In addition, our School has made progress with respect to reaching parity and diversity of the faculty and staff composition. It is a goal of our School to have no underutilization in any job category as reflected in the Incumbency versus Estimated Availability report we receive on an annual basis from the IUPUI Office of Equal Opportunity. Underutilization exists if the percentage of women and/or minorities in a particular job group is less than 80% of the final availability percentage. We were particularly pleased that we had no underutilization reported in 2020 for several categories as is shown in the snapshot at the end of this document. Although such progress is positive, merely eliminating a prior shortcoming with respect to the 80% ratio does not indicate overall success, but meeting a minimum expectation with respect to goal setting for faculty and staff within our School. We have much work to do to advance shared DEI goals. Moreover, as we continue to invest resources and focus our efforts on achieving DEI goals, we will continue to confront racism, sexism, and other barriers to our excellence and growth as a School of Engineering and Technology.
Our updated DEI plan that follows includes a set of initiatives to help focus attention to create a sense of strategic direction for the School. The plan is not intended to cover all of the operational activities of DEI within our School. The fundamental purpose of our DEI strategic plan is to accelerate progress in areas of specific strength or potential, while capitalizing on our prior investments.
We appreciate your interest and your involvement in shaping the future of our School. With the continued help of our alumni, corporate partners, and friends, we will successfully compete at the highest levels, achieve excellence in our core mission, and enhance our image and reputation. We look forward to sharing with you the progress we are making with each of our DEI initiatives.
Best Wishes,
David J. Russomanno, Ph.D.
Dean, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI
Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, IUPUI
799 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
