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2025 Investiture Information

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Diversity and Inclusion at Thayer

At Dartmouth, we know that diversity, in all its forms, is central to engineering innovation. That is why, Thayer School of Engineering strives to create a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives can learn and discover to their fullest potential, in an environment where every individual feels an innate sense of belonging. In doing so, we create a place where true human-centered innovation happens.

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D&I Strategic Plan

Mission and Goals

We strive to be a community that embodies openness, collaboration, and human-centered innovation, where students, faculty, and staff of diverse backgrounds, life experience, talents, and perspectives have access to the opportunity and support they need to succeed in school or at work.

A group of students smile for the camera in the woods of Mt. Moosilauke.

Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan

Our strategic plan for diversity and inclusion was developed in collaboration with engineering students, faculty, and staff. Aligned with Dartmouth’s institutional strategic plan, our goal is to create an education community that consistently prioritizes opportunity and access, as well as health and well-being, for all of our students and employees, and in doing so, create a welcoming, inclusive, and joyful place to learn and work.

D&I Strategic Plan

Committee Members

Thayer's Diversity and Inclusion Committee is comprised of faculty, staff, and students committed to creating a more inclusive and welcoming place to learn and work.

Staff

Julia Abraham, Linda Braden, Jentry Campbell, Simge Engelkiran, Kelli Kehoe, Jess Kinzie, Lee Koh, Bruce Laferriere, Liz Lerret, Ashley Parker, Lydia Reedstrom, William Ren, Jennifer Seiler, Tricia Spellman, Haley Tucker, and Elisabeth Waltz.

Working Groups

Members of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, will focus efforts on several strategic areas, including:

  • Leadership & Accountability

    Align leaders to a shared commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming culture, where every individual is empowered to work, learn, and discover to their fullest potential.

    Staff performance reviews and job descriptions

    Chair: Tricia Spellman
    Members: Bruce Laferriere, Elisabeth Waltz, Ron Lasky

    Fireside chats

    Co-Chairs: Britt Goods, Simge Engelkiran
    Members: Eugene Korsunskiy, Hung V.-T. Nguyen, Jen Seiler

    Clear and inclusive feedback mechanisms

    Chair: Emily Monroe
    Members: Elisabeth Waltz, Lydia Reedstrom, Petra Bonfert-Taylor, Vicki May

  • Culture, Climate & Community Engagement

    Cultivate an inclusive culture in which all students, staff, and faculty feel a sense of connection and belonging.

    Training, Coursework, Learning App

    Co-Chairs: Katie R. Hixon, Simge Engelkiran
    Members: Helene L. Seroussi, Kelli Kehoe, Wei Ouyang

    Resources (Physical and Digital)

    Chair: Haley Tucker
    Members: Alex Boys, Linda Braden, Rafe H. Steinhauer, William Ren

  • Recruitment & Retention

    Integrate diversity and inclusion into recruitment and retention processes and practices to create an environment where faculty and staff thrive and feel secure and supported.

    Tenure-Line Faculty Career Development

    Chair: Tucker "Emme" Burgin
    Members: Ashley Parker, Erin Mayfield, Laura E. Ray, Sol G. Diamond, Wesley Marrero

    Research Staff Career Development

    Dan Olson (appointed by Dean)

  • The Student Experience

    Integrate diversity and inclusion into policies, practices, curriculum, and programs that impact the student experience at Thayer.

    Mentorship

    Chair: Jess Kinzie, Lee Koh
    Members: Peter Chin, Erin Mayfield, Matthias Fitzpatrick

    Barriers to Student Success

    Chair: Colin Meyer
    Members: Jentry Campbell, Julia Abraham, Liz Lerret, Wesley Marrero

Humans of Thayer Project

Humans of Thayer (HofT) is a project designed to foster connection, acceptance, and a sense of belonging by sharing the faces and stories of our students, faculty, and staff. View HofT posts on Instagram or Flickr. Help us build community by sharing what you love to do, what sustains your curiosity, your biggest influence, or something else about yourself!

HoT Submission Form

Instagram logo

Annual Reports

Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth documents our annual progress towards achieving our goal to create a more welcoming, inclusive community where students, faculty, and staff of diverse backgrounds, life experience, talents, and perspectives feel valued and empowered to thrive in their studies and in their work.

Please reach out to Simge Engelkiran, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, for copies of our annual reports.