Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community

More perspectives, better solutions

Like people, effective solutions come in a vast variety, each with its own unique characteristics. A diversity of perspectives and experiences, both within our own community and with those we choose to partner, is a necessary ingredient in the search for optimal solutions.

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Duke students take a selfie with the Blue Devil

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 peers, 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
John Blackshear, dean of students, and Provost Alec Gallimore talk with first-year students after the Convocation for New Undergraduate Students at Duke Chapel.
Undergraduates and graduate students head to class and socialize with friends during FDOC (First Day of Classes) on Duke’s West Campus.
Undergraduates and graduate students head to class and socialize with friends during FDOC (First Day of Classes) on Duke’s West Campus.

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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student members of NSBE pose in a Gothic breezeway at Duke University

Explore Our Resources

Students tour an engineering laboratory at Duke University with professor Andrew-A Jones

Graduate School Bootcamp

You’re invited to a three-day summit of talks, activities and workshops—all about pursuing a graduate degree in engineering or computer science.

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Celebrating Holi @ Duke Engineering

DEIC Committee

The Duke Engineering DEIC Committee is chaired by Quiana Tyson, Assistant Director for DEI Programs & Initiatives and Interim Director of DEIC.

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

Priority Areas

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

Subcommittees

    • Paris Brown — Graduate Student — BME
    • Ben Cooke — Staff — Dean’s Office
    • Shannuel Lamptey — Undergraduate Student — CEE
    • Steve McClelland — Faculty — Dean’s Office
    • Josh Wu — Graduate — PhD BME
    • Sara Faust — Staff — Dean’s Office
    • Becky Simmons — Faculty — MEMS
    • Upsana Ghosh — Graduate — PhD CEE
    • Jennifer Peters — Staff — BME
    • Emily Snell — Staff — Centers and Institutes
    • Rocky Rothrock — Staff — CEE
    • Jeverra Thomas — Staff — MEMS
    • Michael Humphreys — Staff — Centers and Institutes
    • Ella Veysel — Undergraduate — IDEAS
    • Amari Crittenden — Undergraduate — MEMS
    • Joshua Shields — Undergraduate — MEMS
    • Henri Gavin — Faculty — CEE
    • Luisa Piccolo Serafim — Graduate — PhD ECE
    • Kay Bhagabani — Graduate — MEng BME
    • Hannah Chen — Undergraduate — ECE
    • Max Bazan — Undergraduate — MEMS
    • Zeqi Sun — Undergraduate — BME
    • Junjie Yao — Faculty – BME
    • Lee Ferguson — Faculty – CEE

Contact Us

Email Pratt DEIC
Quiana Tyson Profile Photo
Quiana Tyson Profile Photo

Quiana Tyson

Assistant Director, DEI Programs & Initiatives; Interim Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community

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