Inclusion & Belonging

We aspire to be a safe haven for all members of our community. 

We are committed to build the capacity to have difficult conversations, where we can listen to each other and provide a space for all to grow. 

We do not tolerate either overt or covert harassment which can include:

• Verbal accusations or bullying
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following, whether in person or on-line
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual attention
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

Short-term goals

• Renovate the DEI page on the ISE Department website
• Continue to Promote Women in ISE (WISE) and its events
• Continue to support/host the Women in Transportation Seminar
• Continue to organize DEI talks and activities at faculty and staff meetings/retreats
• Continue holding a Community/Student Engagement Meeting with on-site interviewees
• Continue to participate in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Research Summit 
• Continue to provide support for students to attend the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Conference
• Continue to provide support for students to participate in Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP)
• Support the Faculty Search Committee for the Manufacturing Analytics and AI
• Utilize data from climate surveys to make decisions for positive change

Long-term goals

• Continue to monitor impact of DEI actions on outcome measures
• Continue to manage and build out the DEI page on the ISE Department website
• Examine and catalog the current DEI related support services or opportunities offered by ISE
• Explore how WISE at Virginia Tech can support the national IISE organization 
• Working with UPD, UPC, and Advisors, identify how the department can attract a larger fraction of women UG students into ISE

In the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment provides us the opportunity to learn from the differences and perspectives that diverse students, staff, and faculty members bring. Our differences do not divide us, but they make us stronger. We are deeply committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community so everyone feels safe, welcome, and appreciated.

The mission of the ISE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)  Committee is to contribute positively toward the goal of inclusive excellence for the department. 

Within the ISE Department, we aspire to be a safe haven for all members of our community. While we acknowledge that there is a lot more work to be done, we are committed to build the capacity to have difficult conversations, where we can listen to each other and provide a space for all to grow. 

If you would like to share your thoughts, please reach out to myself, or members of the ISE DEI committee.

Regards,

Eileen Van Aken & the ISE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (Chair: Myounghoon (“Philart”) Jeon)