students working in lab

Diversity and Inclusion

Committed to Providing a Diverse, Inclusive, and Welcoming Environment for All Students

Diversity of culture, thought, and viewpoint is necessary for growth, in individuals and societies. Diversity expands our potential to develop solutions to global challenges and teaches us how to be agile thinkers and learners.

With a commitment to diversity, Northeastern’s College of Engineering offers several programs to welcome, support and create opportunity for all talented students from all around the world and with a variety of backgrounds. We also proactively engage younger students with several outreach programs to bring awareness of the exciting field of engineering and encourage the next generation. Our efforts are supported by a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee made up of representatives from across the college, including administrators, faculty, and students.

In 2017, the Dean of the College of Engineering signed the ASEE Engineering Dean’s Council Diversity Pledge, and in 2019 the College was selected as a recipient of the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program- Bronze level. In 2020, Northeastern became the only NACME (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering) university partner in Massachusetts. In 2021, Northeastern was awarded a $10M National Science Foundation grant to build a system and a network to increase engineering degrees among women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color) nationally.

Diversity Events


Recent Highlights

Engineers develop tool to treat femoral hematomas and improve wheelchair camera mount with the help of high school students

High school students participating in an Enabling Engineering internship program designed a training tool to identify and treat femoral hematomas and improved a wheelchair camera mount.

Young Scholars Program for Local High School Students Finishes Strong

High school seniors engage in diverse engineering research during Northeastern’s Young Scholars Program, mentored by COE faculty and students.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU Pathways) completes 10 week Boston program

MIE Professor Ibrahim Zeid and STEM Executive Director Claire Duggan led a 10-week NSF-funded REU program called “REU Pathways,” which mentors community college students in engineering research.

Summer Bridge Scholars Program builds bonds, promises greater retention rates among first-year students

Northeastern’s Summer Bridge program, which started in the College of Engineering, is a week-long program designed to help first-generation college students prepare for their first year of college.

“Through the Women in Engineering Program and organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers, our students receive a continuum of formal and informal support.” Rachelle Reisberg, assistant dean of Enrollment Management and Retention
“Whether they’re working on solar panels in Tanzania, doing groundbreaking biomedical work at Harvard Medical, or founding organizations to include LGBT people in STEM, women engineers are phenomenal.” Elizabeth Wig, BS in electrical engineering
“Everyone here knows me, and knows what I’m trying to achieve—and they help me reach my goals. I don’t think I would have that experience at another school.” Courtney Johnson, BS in chemical engineering
“By opening new pathways to welcome nontraditional students, we’re creating an engineering workforce of the future that is more innovative and more creative.” Richard Harris, assistant dean, and director of the Northeastern University Program in Multicultural Engineering (NUPRIME)
“The more young people we can reach, and the more moments of discovery we can create, the greater the chances that a future STEM professional will find his or her place in the world.” Claire Duggan, director, Center for STEM Education

Student Opportunity and Diversity - 2022

53%

New First Year Women

19%

Under-represented Minority First Year

98%

Under-represented Minority First Year Retention


Honored with Two National Society of Black Engineers Awards

Rich Harris receiving award

Assistant Dean Richard Harris was selected as a STEM Advocate 2019 Honoree by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Boston and received the NSBE 2019 Golden Torch Award as a Minority Engineering Program Director of the Year for 2018-2019.

Full Article - STEM Advocate NSBE Award

Strong Female Role Models Contributed to Their Success

Jennifer Morales and Jaclyn Lock

Jennifer Morales comes from a place where feminist role models are rare and detainees are prevalent. No one, she said, expected her to get a PhD in bioengineering. Joined by fellow bioengineering PhD graduate Jaclyn Lock, she has provided support and guidance to dozens of women and girls during her time at Northeastern.

Full Article - Female PhD Student Successes

Featured Student Organizations

Derek Tran (right)

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Derek Tran, BS/MS, mechanical engineering, shares his experience as co-president of the Northeastern Student Chapter of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers.

shpe

Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers

Northeastern’s SHPE is a professional organization whose goal is to enable Latinos in the New England area to pursue, obtain and develop successful careers in STEM fields.