Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community

More perspectives, better solutions

Solutions are like people. They come in a vast variety, each with their own unique characteristics. Embracing diversity of perspective, both within our own community and those we partner with, is a necessary ingredient to finding optimal solutions.

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What We Do

Duke Engineering is constantly working to explore, build and deepen the diversity, equity and inclusion within our school. Besides making us better engineers, it allows us to celebrate and support each member of our own community.

  • Convene our community for discussions, workshops and social events 
  • Provide leadership, especially through the Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community 
  • Advise and assist colleagues across the school as they strengthen DEIC initiatives in their departments and units 
  • Maintain vital lines of communication, especially through our Community Connections newsletter (Duke NetID required)
  • Collaborate intentionally with peer institutions, including through the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • Steward the philanthropy of alumna Valecia Maclin, Class of 1992, dedicated to supporting our DEIC mission and improving the student experience 

Mission

To include and engage the rich diversity of students, staff, faculty, administrators and community partners in all facets of our work as a school.

We are committed to:

  • Building an environment where all individuals are included, supported and valued
  • Ensuring that our community is composed of a broad spectrum of experiences and perspectives through recruitment, retention and ongoing professional development
  • Designing curricula and pedagogies that promote cultural awareness and intercultural competence
  • Developing policies, resources and communication structures and processes that inform and enable a diverse, inclusive and equitable organization
  • Understanding and tracking our impact through rigorous assessment of our short- and long-term goals and our overall community climate

Vision

To be a leader in inclusive excellence by innovating, implementing and facilitating policies, practices and programs across affinity groups, departments, the school, university partners and the greater community to ensure that all members of our community feel that they belong, are engaged and are empowered.

Maclin Endowment Fund

Created through the generosity of alumna Valecia Maclin, the fund helps ensure that no eligible Pratt School of Engineering undergraduate misses out on educational growth because of costs not covered by financial aid.

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Explore Our Resources

Outreach Design Education

With support from the NSF and NIH, Duke ODE makes engineering more accessible by engaging with the community through design challenges, an annual hackathon and summer camps for high schoolers and K-12 teachers.

More about ODE Visit the ODE website

DEIC Committee

The Duke Engineering DEIC Committee is co-chaired by Karis-Boyd Sinkler, director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community, and Quiana Tyson, Assistant Director for DEI Programs and Initiatives.

The team is focused on engaging the Pratt Community around priorities identified during the Pratt 2039 visioning exercise:

  • Building community through behaviors
  • Recruitment and retention
  • Equitable workplace and professional development
  • Mentoring

Subcommittees

75 percent of effort focused on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; 25 percent on building community

Unit Liaisons

Resources and partners in developing customized strategic plans

Contact the Duke Engineering DEIC Team

Email the team
Karis Boyd-Sinkler Profile Photo
Karis Boyd-Sinkler Profile Photo

Karis Boyd-Sinkler

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community

Quiana Tyson Profile Photo
Quiana Tyson Profile Photo

Quiana Tyson

Assistant Director, DEI Programs and Initiatives