Diversity, Equity and Engagement

Our goal is to create and sustain an affirming academic climate and culture that values the whole individual. Through this framework, we are able to grapple with the historical context of an institution built by enslaved laborers, and a founder who bought, owned, and sold human beings, but also wrote that “all men are created equal” in the United States Declaration of Independence. Through our work, we are able to meet the 21st century demands for a larger and more heterogeneous workforce skilled in engineering and applied science, while also addressing well-known challenges for certain groups to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

Who We Are

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Engagement, comprised of students, staff, and faculty, works closely with internal and external stakeholders—such as the UVA Engineering Office of Undergraduate Programs, the Multicultural Student Center, the University's Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the University's Office of the Dean of Students, UVA Counseling and Psychological Services, and the Center for Teaching Excellence—to put these values in action. Each department in UVA Engineering has a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and we also offer training and consultations for faculty and staff.

What We Do

Most importantly, we provide students with:

• resources for personal and professional development
• resources for financial assistance
• academic advising and tutoring
• a summer Bridge program for entering first-years
• a variety of support services through the Center for Diversity in Engineering (CDE), a space designed to promote success in all of our students

All of our programs are assessed to ensure both efficacy and efficiency.