Meet the committee Engineering diversity programs Student diversity organizations University resources
The Materials Science & Engineering department has a culturally diverse faculty and staff and encourages applications to our undergraduate and graduate programs from women, underrepresented populations, and individuals with disabilities. The following programs, organizations and resources are available to support students of diverse backgrounds.
Materials Science & Engineering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The committee is dedicated to recruiting, welcoming and supporting a diverse and multi-faceted population of undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff. Anyone with a diversity-related question or concern is welcome to reach out to any of our representatives below.
Do you have ideas for improving DEI within MSE? Are you interested in taking an active role in diversity initiatives? Students of all degree levels are welcome and encouraged to join. Contact our committee chairs to become an active member.
Committee co-chairs: Eleftheria Roumeli, Navid Zobeiry
Faculty representatives: Kannan Krishnan, Lucien Brush
Staff representative: Karen Wetterhahn
College of Engineering diversity programs
The College of Engineering has programs that provide financial, social, academic and cultural support to engineering students. They recruit top high school students to UW engineering, with an emphasis on reaching underrepresented populations in the field and in the programs.
- Disabilities Opportunities Internetworking Technology »
- Disabilities Opportunities Internetworking Technology (DO-IT) encourages individuals with disabilities to take on challenging academic programs and careers by promoting the use of technology to increase independence and productivity.
- Minority Scholars Engineering Program »
- The Minority Scholars Engineering Program (MSEP) is open to all students and promotes academic excellence, facilitates leadership skills, and fosters community of engineering scholars.
- Promoting Equity in Engineering Relationships »
- The Promoting Equity in Engineering Relationships (PEERs) course teaches students to teach their peers to be change-agents for increased diversity. Students earn internship credit by becoming PEERs leaders and helping with presentations.
- STate Academic RedShirt Program »
- The STate Academic RedShirt Program (STARS) program provides highly motivated students who are eligible for financial aid with a specialized first-year curriculum designed to build learning skills and academic preparation.
- Women in Science & Engineering »
- Women in Science & Engineering (WiSE) provides social connection, mentoring, advising, and tutoring for women in science and engineering. Programs include academic support, WiSE UP (formerly Bridge), the WiSE Conference, the WiSE Lecture Series and other programs.
Student diversity organizations
Engineering students can find opportunities for community and support within the diversity organizations affiliated with the College of Engineering.
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society »
- The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) at UW helps students build community while bridging science and technology with traditional Native values. Our mission is to substantially increase the representation of American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations and other Indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering and math studies and careers.
- National Society of Black Engineers »
- The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has more than 24,000 members, being the largest student-managed organization in the country. NSBE strives to offer programs to enhance the academic, professional, and social development of our membership and community. NSBE plays a pivotal role in the development of the next generation of engineers and scientists through our Pre-Collegiate Initiative programs.
- Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science »
- The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.
- Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers »
- The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) is a student organization that promotes fellowship among UW Asian heritage science and engineering students and professionals. SASE is committed to helping members achieve their career goals in every possible way, from deciding major fields of study to gaining a competitive edge in seeking employment. We practice leadership skills by organizing community service projects and serving as mentors and role models for other students.
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers »
- The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) aims to create opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue and succeed in engineering. SHPE's goal is to provide resources and learning opportunities for underrepresented minorities and to increase the number of underrepresented students receiving bachelor’s degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Besides lab tours, presentations from industry, and career building workshops, SHPE coordinates two major outreach events every year.
- Society of Women Engineers »
- The Society of Women Engineers' (SWE) mission is to motivate both women and men to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders. SWE's events are geared toward helping you learn more about the numerous educational and professional opportunities that are available as you work toward your degree.
University resources
A variety of programs and organizations on campus provide social, cultural and academic support to all students.
- Ethnic Cultural Center »
- A "home away from home" where students can find familiar faces similar to their own, caring staff, and a place to meet, hang out, build community and share cultural perspectives.
- UW Disability Services »
- Services for all students, staff and faculty with disabilities, including accommodation advice and support, assistive equipment, interpreters (sign language, oral and tactile), real-time captioning, coordination of disabled parking and transportation.
- UW Q Center »
- A primarily student-run, brave, affirming and celebratory environment for students, faculty, staff and alumni of all sexual and gender orientation, identities and expressions.
- UW Women's Center »
- A vital place where women and men partner to build a culture of gender equity campus-wide, locally and globally. We provide educational programs, individualized services, skills training, research and community outreach.
- Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) »
- A program of the UW Graduate School to serve the needs of students of color and students from other underrepresented groups, while fostering an educational and social environment in which all students can learn and develop through experiences rich in cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity.
- ADVANCE Center for Institutional Change »
- A program with the College of Engineering to increase the participation of women in academic science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers with funding opportunities for individuals and organizations to help pursue these goals.
- UW Student Organizations »
- A list of all UW Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) for the current school year.
- UW Diversity Minor Program »
- The Diversity Minor Program to strengthen students' understandings of how race, class, gender, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, religion, and age interact to define identities and social relations.
- Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity »
- The Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMAD) offers social, cultural, academic, and professional support. Their services include pre-college and recruitment, student services and retention, graduate and professional preparation, alumni and community resources, and diversity initiatives and committees.