New Project Aims to Make Mechanical Engineering Programs Better for Women

The National Science Foundation has selected five universities to participate in its Transforming Engineering Culture to Advance Inclusion and Diversity (TECAID) project. The grant program’s goal is to increase diversity and foster an inclusive environment in mechanical engineering for women and minorities. The Women in Engineering Proactive Network and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering are participating in the program.

TECAID will provide support for efforts in mechanical engineering departments to create and sustain inclusive interactions and cultures that benefit all participants – in classrooms and labs, in student design groups, in faculty meetings and hallway interactions, and in underlying department dynamics. This support will be in the form of intensive professional development, expert consultation, and a facilitated virtual learning community to participating mechanical department leaders and faculty.

The universities selected to participate in the program are Purdue University, Michigan Technological University, Oregon State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Oklahoma.