This talk outlines the development and launch of a novel course devoted to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering. The course objectives are to develop students who (1) demonstrate the knowledge needed to be advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the engineering workforce and (2) demonstrate the skills needed to be change agents in the engineering workforce. Through this webinar we will delve into current student demographics and identify opportunities to better serve our community. With that foundation, the evolution of the course’s design will be summarized with specific details on the current course implementation. We will conclude with student feedback and lessons learned for those who might want to replicate this experience at their institutions.
Leigh McCue is an Associate Professor and Chair of George Mason University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. From June 2015-December 2018 she was the executive director of the American Society of Naval Engineers. Prior to that, from December of 2004 through May of 2015, she was an Assistant, then Associate Professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering. Her research interests are in maritime robotics, nonlinear and chaotic vessel dynamics, and computational fluid dynamics, coupled with an emphasis on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering. Her work has been supported by ONR, NSF, NASA, the USCG, CSC, QinetiQ, and the Northeast Center for Occupational Safety and Health (NEC). Additionally, Dr. McCue has participated in the ASEE-ONR Summer Faculty Research Program to work in collaboration with researchers at the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center and was on sabbatical for the 2011-2012 academic year with the Combatant Craft Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock. Dr. McCue received her BSE degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University. She earned her graduate degrees from the University of Michigan in Aerospace Engineering (MSE) and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (MSE & PhD).