Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
CEE at Illinois recognizes that everyone benefits when people with different backgrounds, cultures and disciplines work together. We are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse group of students, faculty and staff in order to create an inclusive community in which everyone is welcome and supported. We are proud that women make up more than one-third of our student body, and continue efforts to increase the overall diversity of the CEE at Illinois community.
60%
Increase in the number of women in Grainger Engineering since 2013.
55%
Increase in the number of underrepresented students in Grainger Engineering since 2013.
Student Organizations and Communities
There are several student organizations and communities affiliated with The Grainger College of Engineering whose missions include broadening participation in engineering.
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) - To increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
- Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) - Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) is dedicated to the development of LGBTQIA+ students in STEM fields.
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) - SHPE changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize their fullest potential and impacts the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development. SHPE's vision is a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians and engineers.
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE) - SWE is a technical, professional, social, and outreach organization, and is part of a larger organization with over 14,000 members nationally. It is the largest engineering organization on campus, and provides a great support system for women in engineering.
Cultural and Resource Centers
Campus cultural and resource centers provide students with programming and support for students of diverse backgrounds.
Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center
Academic, Research and Entrepreneurship Programs
- Academic Redshirt in Science and Engineering (ARISE) - ARISE is a 5-year program that provides academically talented students coming from low -income backgrounds support and preparation to successfully earn their engineering degrees from the University of Illinois.
- Accelerating Women and Underrepresented Entrepreneurs (AWARE) - AWARE supports entrepreneurship training, counseling, and networking and includes an entrepreneur-in-residence familiar with the needs of those from underrepresented backgrounds, small proof-of-concept grants, and targeted mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.
- Illinois Engineering Ambassadors (EA) - EA is a professional outreach program sponsored by Grainger's Office of Undergraduate Programs. These ambassadors serve as role models of engineering to those who are classically underrepresented and underserved in engineering fields.
- Morrill Engineering Program (MEP) - Morrill Engineering Program (MEP) empowers African American, Hispanic, and Native American engineering students, supports their success as scholars, and leverages a community of students, staff, and alumni to achieve excellence in engineering.
- Multicultural Engineering Recruitment for Graduate Education (MERGE) - MERGE is a diversity recruitment initiative that gives talented students from underrepresented groups from across the nation an opportunity to visit our campus early in the application process.
Community of Care
The faculty and staff in the department care about the well-being of our undergraduate and graduate students. Many resources are available on campus for students needing assistance, but it can be challenging to know where to start. If you have an issue we invite you to reach out to a member of the advising team as a first step (see contact list here).
Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Relations
The OIIR seeks to improve campus climate by providing transformative learning experiences to the Illinois community that result in an appreciation for diversity and cross-cultural engagement.
Office for Access and Equity
The OAE serves as a resource to campus units by facilitating compliance awareness and promoting an inclusive community through diversity, education, and outreach initiatives.
Institute for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access
The mission of the IDEA Institute is to support scholarship, innovation, collaboration and leadership in the areas of inclusion, diversity, equity and access at all levels.
Report an Incident
The Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion maintains a comprehensive list of resources if you need to report an incident on campus. For example, there are resources for incidents of discrimination or harassment, concerns about negative behavior and campus belonging, sexual harassment, and barriers to access.