Increasing Persistence and Retention in Engineering through Cultural Humility.
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ABSTRACT: As higher education institutions look to broaden participation in engineering, particularly for historically marginalized groups, it is imperative to create environments that position students and faculty for success. This talk will review some of the historical challenges within the academic culture of engineering, explore some of the approaches taken by institutions that have been successful in strengthening their culture, and discuss strategies that can be used to increase persistence and retention in engineering by building trust and collaboration within the community.
BIO: Dr. Alaine M. Allen is an engineering educator who intentionally works to create opportunities for and uplift the voices of individuals from groups historically marginalized, underestimated, or overlooked in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) environments. She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Carnegie Mellon University in the College of Engineering. She is also a Distinguished Service Professor in the Engineering and Public Policy Department. Allen is committed to creating a culture of inclusive excellence that enables the entire engineering community to work collaborative, build bridges across differences and thrive.
Allen is the lead PI for NSF AGEP FC-PAM Project ELEVATE (Equity-focused Launch to Empower and Value AGEP Faculty to Thrive in Engineering) and senior personnel for NSF MPS-ASCEND Mentorship Network for Postdoctoral Fellows. Allen previously directed pre-college and undergraduate engineering diversity programs as well as engineering community engagement projects at the University of Pittsburgh, where she served as a Co-PI for the NSF Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Alliance STEM PUSH (Pathways for Underrepresented Students to Higher Education) Network.
Allen has a BS degree in physics education from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, an M.Ed. degree in policy, planning, and evaluation, and an Ed.D. degree in higher education management, both from the University of Pittsburgh.