Community of Belonging
Fostering a Community of Belonging for All Students
Fostering a community of belonging is essential to the advancement of Northeastern University’s mission of teaching and research. Our university is stronger as a result of the varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all members of our global community bring to the pursuit of knowledge. Embracing this pluralism is not the work of one office, department, or academic unit. It is a shared responsibility that spans disciplines and boundaries. By harnessing the power of our differences, we will continue to light the path to bold new ideas and life-changing discoveries.
Our reimagined approach centers on embracing the experiences of individuals across the global university system to maximize impact at the institutional level. This involves offering trainings and workshops, encouraging participation in our affinity groups, sharing best practices, and using data to inform how we focus our resources and our work.
Some examples of efforts in the College of Engineering include: Member of NACME, Leading NSF INCLUDES Engineering PLUS Alliance, and Neurodiversity Initiatives, as well as a host of student affinity organizations, programs in multicultural engineering and women in engineering, and much more.
Recent Highlights
Young Scholars Program Offers Incredible Opportunities for High School Students
The Young Scholars Program, offered by the Michael B. Silevitch and Claire J. Duggan Center for STEM Education, allows rising high school seniors to participate in a six-week program to gain hands-on experience in the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
PhD Students Volunteer at Elementary School Science Fair
Six BioE and MIE PhD students volunteered at the annual Broadmeadow Elementary School Science Fair in Needham, Massachusetts, alongside MIE/BioE Professor Sandra Shefelbine, where K-5th grade students presented individual projects.
Learning To Transform Data Into Stories With Experiential Learning
Sri Likhitha Anuganti, MS’25, data analytics engineering, transformed her career from a business analyst to a data storyteller through Northeastern’s academics, project-based learning, a co-op, and entrepreneurship.
Bioengineering Student Receives 2025 Compass Award
Gabrielle Rose Bailey, E’25, bioengineering and biochemistry, is a recipient of the 2025 Compass Award, which recognize exemplary students from the senior class who have demonstrated a true dedication to the core values of leadership, volunteerism, academic integrity, and a commitment to Northeastern.
ri.harris@northeastern.edu
s.ostadabbas@northeastern.edu
Computer Vision; Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence; Augmented Cognition with Medical Applications; Augmented/Virtual Reality
c.duggan@northeastern.edu
Enabling Engineering Class Develops Low-Cost Wheelchair for Individuals With Neurological Conditions
Students in Northeastern’s Enabling Engineering class designed a wheelchair rear-sensor system for a resident at The Boston Home, a care center for individuals with progressive neurological conditions. The system met the resident’s needs at a fraction of the cost of a typical wheelchair sensor system.
See Full StoryWomen in Engineering Panel Discussion Engineers Week Event
During Engineers Week, a panel of faculty and students shared their experiences and advice on their education and career journeys as women engineers. They offered advice to future female engineers to empower them and help them grow, including the importance of faculty and peer mentors.
See Full StoryFeatured Student Organizations
Affinity Group Annual Joint Recognition Banquet
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and corporate partners were recognized for their commitments to several COE affinity student groups at the 18th Annual Joint Recognition Banquet. The groups represented included SHPE, SWE, BESS, SASE, and DICE.
50th Anniversary of Black Engineering Student Society
At its 50th anniversary celebration, BESS recognized students, alumni, faculty, and supporters who have helped make this student organization a source of community, education, and professional development for more than five decades.