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In February, we celebrate Black History Month to reflect upon and recognize the many contributions of Black and African American community members to our college and to the field of engineering. 

Celebrating Engineering Leaders
Black leaders we want to feature in our college this month include pioneering professor emeritus Skip Ellis, who was the first African American to receive a PhD in computer science in the United States; Jessica Rush Leeker, professor and faculty director of undergraduate education in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder’s Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program, who teaches engineering design and entrepreneurial development through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion; Brian Argrow, Schaden Leadership Professor and chair of the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, who was recently recognized as a member of the National Academy of Engineers, one of the highest distinctions an engineer can receive; and , director of the BOLD Center, which supports ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Engineering students who are traditionally underrepresented in engineering and has been at the heart of our commitment to creating a just, diverse and inclusive learning environment for more than a decade.

The Engineering Journey
BOLD Student Societies create inclusive spaces for students to connect around interests and cultures while being supported in their journey to become professional engineers. Among them is the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, whose mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. The NSBE chapter is led by Elizabeth Eyeson, Ahmed Ashmaig and Halima Afrah, with Tanya Ennis serving as the chapter advisor for more than 10 years. 

The chapter recently invited Kalonji Nzinga, assistant professor in the School of Education, to speak at a Black History Month Power Hour on the history of spoken word, language and rap in the U.S. Black Liberation Movement. Throughout the academic year, the team has hosted a challenge course, a professional development event with , and a financial literacy symposium with . Members shared that they gained experience cheering each other on, sharing about their internship experiences, networking with recruiters, and learning about different types of investments. In March, the chapter will conduct a workshop at the NSBE National Convention in Anaheim, California. This summer, the chapter will join the college in hosting the , welcoming 250 NSBE student leaders to the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder campus. We encourage you to consider how you might get involved and further support NSBE’s important work. 

A Commitment to Inclusivity
As a college, we are committed to creating inclusive and supportive environments both in the college and in society at large. This commitment will enable our college to more effectively value the extraordinary contributions Black and African American students, staff, faculty, and alumni contribute to our history, culture, and advancements in engineering. One example of this is a Black History Month workshop the Department of Computer Science graduate student association is hosting this Friday, facilitated by John Robinson-Miller IV, Associate Director for the Center for African & African American Studies. Another example is the 2022 Construction Diversity Summit that the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering is hosting in April. This inaugural conference is focused on building thriving, diverse teams in the construction industry. 

Another example is the Inclusive Culture Council, which was launched last year with a mission to provide strategic leadership and transparency for cultivating an inclusive, equitable, interculturally competent, and supportive environment in the college. Bringing together staff and faculty from all departments, programs, and relevant units, the college is more collectively aware and engaged in enhancing inclusion and equity together. Departments, programs, and units continue to work toward operationalizing IDEA Plan Actions and will be able to incorporate Campus Culture Survey results locally. 

Members of the Inclusive Culture Council and college staff will meet next month with the co-chairs and IDEA Council members to discuss the prioritization of 15 student-facing IDEA Plan recommendations. These IDEA Plan recommendations are critically important to our college for creating and sustaining a culture of equity, inclusion and academic excellence for our undergraduate student population. The outcomes of this discussion will determine what is feasible to carry out now; what the barriers and concerns are; timelines; and whether these specific recommendations need modification.

Continue the Exploration
As this month comes to a close, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on the importance of Black and African American contributions to society. University Libraries has collected a list of articles written by University of Colorado Boulder undergraduate and graduate students that relate to Black History. We encourage you to read one of these articles, participate in the campus Black History Month Racial Equity #BeTheChange Challenge or use these resources as a starting point for your own exploration throughout the year.

Keith Molenaar
Acting Dean

Terri Wright
Assistant Dean for Access, Inclusion and Student Programs

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