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NOTICE: This joint publication of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Society for Engineering Education has been reviewed according to procedures approved by a National Academy of Engineering report review process. Publication of signed work signifies that it is judged a competent and useful contribution worthy of public consideration, but it does not imply endorsement of conclusions or recommendations by the National Academy of Engineering or the American Society for Engineering Education. The interpretations and conclusions in such publications are those of authors and do not purport to represent the views of the council, officers, or staff of the National Academy of Engineering or the board, officer, or staff of the American Society for Engineering Education.
This project was supported by the National Science Foundation under award EEC-1256000 to the American Society for Engineering Education. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.
International Standard Book Numbers
ISBN-13: 978-0-309-30785-7
ISBN-10: 0-309-30785-6
Copyright 2014 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Suggested Citation:
National Academy of Engineering. Surmounting the Barriers: Ethnic Diversity in Engineering Education: Summary of a Workshop. Washington: National Academies Press, 2014.
The American Society for Engineering Education is a global society of individual, institutional, and corporate members founded in 1893. We are committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology by promoting excellence in instruction, research, public service, professional practice, and societal awareness.
ASEE seeks to more fully engage with high school students, parents, teachers, engineering faculty and business leaders to enhance the engineering workforce of the nation.
ASEE is the only professional society addressing opportunities and challenges spanning all engineering disciplines, working across the breadth of academic education, research, and public service.
We support engineering education at the institutional level by linking engineering faculty and staff to their peers in other disciplines to create enhanced student learning and discovery.
We support engineering education across institutions, by identifying opportunities to share proven and promising practices.
We support engineering education locally, regionally, and nationally, by forging and reinforcing connection between academic engineering and business, industry, and government.
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr., is president of the National Academy of Engineering.
The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president of the Institute of Medicine.
The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr., are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.
MEETING ORGANIZERS
Bevlee Watford
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director, Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity Virginia Tech
Norman L. Fortenberry
Executive Director
American Society for Engineering Education
Catherine Didion
Senior Program Officer
National Academy of Engineering
Lance Davis
Executive Officer
National Academy of Engineering
REPORT EDITOR
Lance Davis
Executive Officer
National Academy of Engineering
PUBLICATION STAFF
Peter Meredith, Writer
Nicola Nittoli, Designer
Michelle Bersabal, Designer
Mark Matthews, Copy Editor
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This report reflects the views of the individuals who participated in the plenary and breakout groups. It has been reviewed in draft form by persons chosen for their diverse perspectives and expertise in accordance with procedures approved by the National Academy of Engineering’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for quality and objectivity. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the process.
We thank the following individuals for their review of the report: Mary Juhas, Ohio State University; Sheila Edwards Lange, University of Washington; Noe Lozano, Stanford University; and Nancy R. Martin, General Electric. Although the reviewers listed provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the content of the report, nor did they see the final draft before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Norman L. Fortenberry, Executive Director of the American Society for Engineering Education, who was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the editors and the institutions.
CONTENTS
SECTION II—FRAMING THE ISSUE: A LONG, SLOW TREK
SECTION III—PRE-WORKSHOP PREPARATIONS
Analysis of Historical Reports
SECTION IV—WORKSHOP DISCUSSIONS
A Regional Scale-up Initiative: The Florida Example
Understanding the Key Underlying Impediments to Implementing Prior Recommendations
Strategies for Surmounting Impediments: 13 Suggestions for Change
SECTION V—POST-WORKSHOP COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Reality Check: What Impediments Have Tripped Up Similar Recommendations in the Past?
Keynote—Freeman Hrabowski: We Need to Look in the Mirror
Morning Speaker—Robert Teranishi: Challenging Assumptions about Minorities
Luncheon Speaker—Eric Jolly: We Need to Change Who Asks the Questions
Keynote—Karan Watson: Taking a Strategic Approach
Morning Speaker—Amir Mirmiran: Action Steps toward Increasing Diversity
Luncheon Speaker—Patricia Campbell: We Know so Many of the Answers Already
Appendix A: List of Workshop Attendees
Appendix C: Highlights of Pre-Workshop Surveys
Appendix D: Highlights of Breakout Sessions and Their Plenary Reports