ASME MEDHEC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

The Mechanical Engineering Department Heads Executive Committee (MEDHEC) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers is soliciting nominations for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Awards. This award recognizes Mechanical Engineering Departments and Schools that are performing impactful and innovative activities in the space of DEI. The winning programs will be provided an opportunity to present their activities to help inspire others and share best practices with the broader ME community. This will be an important aspect of promoting a strong culture of diversity and inclusion within academic units responsible for producing the future members of the mechanical engineering discipline. It should be noted that we consider diversity in the broadest sense of the term to include aspects of marginalized groups overcoming difficult challenges that have been historically excluded and are underrepresented in mechanical engineering.
 

Criteria

The awards will be given to departments/schools in two categories: Ph.D. and non-Ph.D. granting institutions. We anticipate up to one award in each category. Award recipients will have developed activities or programs that demonstrate one or more of the following:
 

• A commitment to improving the environment for DEI within their institution
• Excellence in efforts to increase the pipeline for diverse students within their programs
• Successful efforts to increase DEI among faculty and staff
• Successful efforts in improving the retention and graduation rates of diverse communities within their programs
• Successful efforts in improving access and inclusion for diverse students
• Leadership in building an accessible and inclusive campus community
• Scholarship or work that advances a culture of inclusive excellence and diversity

Eligibility

Any ABET accredited academic department that grants degrees in Mechanical Engineering.
 

Nomination Process

Nominations of a department or school will consist of a nomination letter along with 3 letters of reference, each no more than 2 pages in length. The letters should provide sufficient detail to describe what issues were addressed, how success was achieved, and the impact or outcome of the activity. The nomination letter may also include one additional page that provides qualitative or quantitative information to support the nomination letter. This may be in the form of photos, graphs, or other information that the nominator deems appropriate. Self-nomination is acceptable.

Nomination Form

All nomination materials and supporting letters should be submitted as one .pdf file to this link no later than November 15, to Cheryl Hasan, Manager, Engineering Education & Outreach at engineeringeducation@asme.org.
 

ASME MEDHEC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award Recipients

2022	UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
2024	IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY