Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our department is committed to creating and sustaining a community that values diversity and champions equity and inclusion. 

With the word Diversity, we mean all of the values and experiences that come from a multitude of cultures and experiences, including, but not restricted to, differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender and gender identity, language, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability, and socioeconomic status.

By Equity, we are referring to the unbiased treatment of all individuals, and the promise of fair and equal access to all opportunities and resources, removing any barriers that may exist for marginalized groups.

Inclusion to us means welcoming, respecting and supporting all views and opinions, and ensuring that all individuals feel they belong.

Biomedical Engineering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee

DEI Action Plan

The BME department leadership, DEI committee, and community members have developed and collaborated on a plan that includes concrete actions to guide the department toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive state:

View the latest version of the BME DEI Plan in Google Drive (Draft V.2. – 06/26/2020) [U-M Only]

At this time, the committee asks the BME community to continue to provide feedback and ideas related to DEI in the department, as well as specific feedback on the draft plan. Please email the BME-DEI-committee@umich.edu with your feedback, ideas, and suggestions.

DEI Committee Members

Name	Email	Position
Carlos Aguilar	caguilar@umich.edu	Assistant Professor
Aaron Blanchard	atblanc@umich.edu	Assistant Professor/Postdoctoral Scholar
Noah Blase	nblase@umich.edu	Undergraduate Student
Belinda Cargile	cargileb@umich.edu	Undergraduate Student
Karen Gates	kagates@umich.edu	Alumni, Development, and Industry Relations
Saumya Gupta	saugupta@umich.edu	Masters Student
Aaron Morris	aharmorr@umich.edu	Research Fellow
Deepak Nagrath	dnagrath@umich.edu	Associate Professor
David Nordsletten (Chair)	nordslet@umich.edu	Associate Professor
Ritika Pansare	rpansare@umich.edu	Undergraduate Student
Parag Patil	pgpatil@umich.edu	Associate Professor
Rachel Patterson	rjpatt@umich.edu	Academic Advisor/Counselor
Jenny Qu	quyunjia@umich.edu	Masters Student
Eiji Saito	esaito@umich.edu	Research Area Specialist Assoc
Ian Schrack	ischrack@umich.edu	PhD Student
David Sept	dsept@umich.edu	Professor and Associate Chair
Lonnie Shea	ldshea@umich.edu	Professor
Christopher Tossas	tossas@umich.edu	PhD Student
James Weiland	weiland@umich.edu	Professor
Tejaswi Worlikar	wtejaswi@umich.edu	PhD Student
Melissa Wrobel	mwrobs@umich.edu	Lecturer III
Samantha Zerafa	samzer@umich.edu	Undergraduate Student

Resources

For Students

• 1st Gen Engin program for first generation students in the College of Engineering
• CEW+ (Center for the Education of Women) provides immediate and ongoing services and the financial support needed to ensure educational success and degree completion.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has one full-time counselor available for all currently enrolled students within the College of Engineering.
• Diversity-focused Student Organizations in the College of Engineering
• The Engineering C.A.R.E Center focuses on assisting engineering students in successfully transitioning through a variety of challenging circumstances that can impact their lives.
• Mentoring programs in the College of Engineering
• Michigan Learning Communities are self-selected groups, often from diverse backgrounds, drawn together by shared goals and common intellectual interests.
• Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs engages the campus community and transforms the student experience to build inclusive spaces and equitable opportunities for all.
• The Office of the Ombuds provides a confidential space for talking about any campus issue, concern, problem, or dispute.
• The Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) provides a variety of programs and services designed to support a safe, just, and peaceful community
• The Rackham Resolution Office provides a safe and confidential environment to discuss concerns.
• Services for Students with Disabilities provides accommodations and access to students with disabilities.
• Students with Children is dedicated to the needs of student caregivers at the University of Michigan who juggle parenting, other family care, work, and study.
• Women in Science and Engineering is designed to increase the number of girls and women pursuing degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while fostering their future success.

For Faculty & Staff

• The Center for Research on Learning & Teaching: Diversity & Inclusive Teaching provides resources and strategies on inclusive teaching, responding to difficult moments, and emerging topics.
  • Considerations for contingency planning
  • Inclusive Teaching Principles
  • Remote Teaching Inclusive Strategies
  • Toward Inclusive STEM Classrooms (Kilpack & Melon, 2016)
• The Committee on Strategies and Tactics for Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence (STRIDE) provides information and advice about practices that will maximize the likelihood that diverse, well-qualified candidates for faculty positions will be identified.
• The Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) provides support and assistance to University staff and faculty in resolving personal or work-related concerns.
• The National Center for Institutional Diversity produces, catalyzes, and elevates diversity research and scholarship.
• The Staff Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Culture Committee gathers staff feedback on the College’s DEI Strategic Plan and develops ideas that will make the College a more inclusive place.

For Everyone

• The Center for Engineering Diversity & Outreach (CEDO) provides expertise, leadership and programming to foster a climate that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form from the Office of Institutional Equity.
• The Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning cultivates and steward equitable partnerships between communities and the University of Michigan in order to advance social change for the public good.
• The English Language Institute provides language, academic, and intercultural instruction for international students and scholars and others who speak English as a second language.
• Inclusive Spaces on campus, including the Wellness Zone, reflection rooms, lactation rooms and gender inclusive restrooms.
• The International Center serves the international population, facilitates intercultural and international education, and fosters a global campus community.
• The Office of Institutional Equity oversees, facilitates and supports the University’s efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all persons.
• The Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) provides individual support and advocacy, peer led support groups, and community education and training.
• The Spectrum Center works toward enhancing the campus climate and support services for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty.
• The Trotter Multicultural Center serves as a campus facilitator, convener, and coordinator of intercultural engagement and inclusive leadership education initiatives.
• University of Michigan DEI
• College of Engineering DEI – College of Engineering DEI Strategic plan, education, DEI updates, and links to DEI lecture seriese recordings.

Education

• The Anti-Racism Primer helps you get started in the fight for justice.
• DEI Basics Online Sessions gives an introductory look at the U-M DEI initiative and helps clearly define what we mean by “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” 
• The Rackham DEI Certificate for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows prepares participants to work in a diverse environment while fostering a climate of inclusivity.
• University Human Resources DEI Training and Education provides further resources.