Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Vision: Being the first public engineering college with gender parity in the undergraduate population while reflecting the demographics of our state’s high school graduates.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and academically excellent community.

The college’s diversity and inclusion plan dovetails with the CU Boulder Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics (IDEA) Plan and is informed by the university's longstanding efforts to create a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where everyone can succeed. As a university and college community we affirm that making excellence inclusive is an active, intentional process that engages students, faculty and staff across the curriculum and community and in our offices, labs and meeting spaces. Moreover, our plan addresses the Chancellor’s three strategic imperatives: shape tomorrow’s leaders, innovate and positively impact humanity. 

Meet Our Inclusive Culture Council   

As laid out in the Dean’s Strategic Vision, we aim to be the premier destination for every engineering student in the state of Colorado while attracting outstanding students from across the country and world by increasing and supporting communities traditionally underrepresented in engineering and applied sciences to thrive in our college. In doing so, we will drive and support economic growth in Colorado, foster collaborative industry partnerships that prepare students to work in diverse teams and succeed in the global marketplace and to produce ethical, resilient and creative engineers who will become leaders in their fields.

CU Engineering's Class of 2024

9,613

Enrolled
Students

30%

Undergraduate
Women

17 %

Historically underrepresented

12%

First-generation
Students

Stories

Celebrating our Communities

In February, we celebrate Black History Month and recognize the cultural history, triumphs and adversities that are deeply rooted in our country's history. We seek to bring awareness about the many contributions of our Black and African American community members in our college and to the fields of engineering. 

March is Women's History Month, a celebration of the vital role of women in American history. We take this opportunity to highlight the year-round accomplishments of the students, faculty and staff who are leaders in engineering.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month This broad term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.  

In November, we recognize and celebrate Native American and Indigenous community members in our college. This is a time to celebrate cultures, traditions, and histories, as well as to acknowledge the important contributions of the original inhabitants of North America.

The #ILookLikeAnEngineerCampaign

Encouraging an atmosphere of inclusion in tech
and giving visibility to non-stereotypical engineers

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The BOLD Center

The BOLD Center is part of the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s commitment to creating a diverse environment where all engineering students are welcome. Our programs promote the recruitment, retention, and development of engineering students at CU Boulder, and equip them for success through graduation and beyond.

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BAC

The purposes of the BOLD Advisory Council are to: Act as an accountability partner and advisory body to the BOLD Center and the Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Engineering and Applied Science regarding access, retention and performance of underrepresented engineering students.

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EngiNearMe 

This week-long summer program offers rising seniors from Colorado high schools an opportunity to explore everything engineering has to offer. During this week, students will work on various hands-on engineering projects and build connections with current students and faculty. 

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Trainings & Workshops 

CU Boulder offers a multitude of development opportunities for students, staff, and faculty through the Center for Inclusion & Social Change, Human Resources, and Lynda. Our trainings and workshops aim to promote inclusive excellence and foster a strong, collaborative learning and work environment between peoples of various backgrounds.

CISC Workshops   HR Trainings   

Student Resource Groups 

Similar to the many Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) available in industry, several Student Resource Groups (SRGs) are housed in the College of Engineering & Applied Science. These SRGs provide undergraduate and graduate students with additional support throughout their time at CU as well as professional development opportunities.

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Partners 

The BOLD Center and CU Engineering seeks partners to bolster inclusive excellence within the CU Boulder community and to provide opportunities for our students. These partnerships are intended to create connections across Colorado and nationally to our school in support of improving recruitment, retention, and climate for all students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

BOLD Partners    CU Engineering Partners

First-Generation Faculty & Staff Directory

As part of CU Boulder’s commitment to support first-generation students both in and out of the classroom, the Office of First-Generation Programs and Enrichment is leading the effort to compile and maintain an updated list of faculty and staff who are the first in their families to go to college.

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