DEI department leads are faculty members who serve as the point of contact for DEI at the department level. They:
- Lead planning, coordination, and implementation of department-level DEI activities
- Report on department-level DEI activities and share best practices
- Serve as an additional resource for DEI-related concerns at the department level, including active participation in addressing any issues arising
- Serve as a link between department-level and college- and university-level DEI efforts
AERO: Joaquim Martins
Professor, Aerospace Engineering
The faculty, students, and staff of the Aerospace Engineering Department are committed to a department culture that supports and celebrates each of our members in their studies and their work. We know that excellence and diversity go hand-in-hand. Only with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff—diversity of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, skin color, socioeconomic status, physical and mental challenges faced—can we be the leaders and best.
BME: David Nordsletten
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Cardiac Surgery
Our biomedical engineering community at the University of Michigan has a very proactive group interested in improving our equity, diversity and inclusiveness. I am excited to facilitate and advocate for these activities and look for broader opportunities across the College of Engineering.
CEE: Ann Jeffers
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
I am excited to represent Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College’s wider effort to improve DEI. I look forward to learning from others who share my passions for improving the climate on campus as well as recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students.
ChemE: Sunith Nagrath
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Co-Director of the Single Cell Analysis Core, Rogel Cancer Center
CLaSP: Gretchen Keppel-Aleks
Associate Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering
Structural change is necessary to reverse the legacies of racism, sexism, ableism, and heteronormativity. As the DEI lead for the CLaSP department, my goal is to create equitable policies and procedures that will improve the inclusivity of our department. Diversity in our field of study is especially important for adapting to and mitigating climate change, since the worst climate change impacts will be borne by oppressed populations, in Michigan, the United States, and worldwide.
CSE: Westley Weimer
Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Engineering is design under constraint, an inherently creative activity that benefits from as many different viewpoints and ideas as possible when solving difficult problems. I want to help us recruit, retain and support our students, faculty and staff regardless of background.
ECE: Herb Winful
Arthur F Thurnau Professor and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Part of my role is to help my department, college, and university achieve a more perfect union of the ideals of excellence, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
IOE: Leia Stirling
Associate Professor, Industrial and Operations Engineering
We want an environment in the College of Engineering that is diverse, while also providing resources to our community to support equity, and a climate that is inclusive. We work together as Department Leads to share ideas and guide actions that support our students, staff, and faculty. IOE is committed to contribute positively to enhance these goals.
ISD: Chinedum Okwudire
Associate Chair of Integrative Systems and Design and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
I have come to believe that U-M is deeply committed to doing the hard work it takes to advance DEI; It does not see DEI as just a box to check. I believe that U-M is on the right side of history on this matter and I am committed to supporting its efforts.
ME: Wei Lu
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering
DEI is central to our mission and our dedication to academic excellence for the public good. Diversity is a core strength that drives creativity and innovation. I am excited to support the effort at U-M of providing an environment that supports the success of diverse students, staff, and faculty.
MSE: Kathy Sevener
Lecturer/Associate Research Scientist
I look forward to helping create a culture within this learning community that values and welcomes the experiences, talents, and contributions of all students, staff and faculty.
NAME: Pingsha Dong
Professor, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Diversity in all aspects of higher education is essential for best preparing our future workforce.
NERS: John Foster
Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences Department
In my mind diversity is a necessary ingredient in the solution of an engineering problem. Indeed, having problem solvers that are stakeholders from all communities is key to getting the solution right—one that takes into into account the nuances and relevant considerations of that problem such that the design solution ultimately benefits all. Diversity is therefore a necessary requirement to solve the problem.
NERS: Carolyn Kuranz
Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, College of Engineering
The University of Michigan needs a diverse group of people collaborating to solve society’s complex problems and to be the Leaders and Best. I am proud to be a part of COE’s strategic plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to help create that reality.
UMTRI: Kathleen Klinich
Associate Research Scientist, Biosciences, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
Participating in a team to improve gender equity made me realize that we can do better to make everyone feel more included and that it’s not acceptable to overlook even small things that can make people feel unwelcome. We can solve research problems more effectively with a diverse team where everyone feels valued.