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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan

Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth's multi-year strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is aimed at providing the school with a comprehensive roadmap for building a community is more open, accessible, welcoming, inclusive, and truly human-centered, in every sense of the word.

Launched in September 2023, following an 8-month process, Thayer's Strategic DEI Plan reflects the voices, contributions, and insights of numerous staff, faculty and students in our community.

On This Page

Strategic Priority Areas

Thayer's multi-year DEI Strategic Plan is guided by the objectives in four key priority areas (below), as identified by members of our community through a months-long process. Each area has goals with specific actions and measures for success.

1. Leadership & Accountability

Align and hold accountable leaders to a shared commitment to build a community where all individuals feel empowered to reach their fullest potential.

How we will hold leadership accountable

2. Climate, Culture & Community Engagement

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

How we will foster connection and belonging

3. Recruitment & Retention

Integrate DEI into faculty and staff recruitment and retention processes and practice to ensure every employee thrives, feels connected and supported.

How we will improve recruitment and retention

4. The Student Experience

Integrate DEI into policies, practices, curriculum, and programs that impact the student experience to ensure every student thrives, feels connected and supported.

How we will meet the diverse needs of students

Planning Process and Timeline

December 2022Thayer launches strategic planning process to develop a comprehensive DEI roadmap for the engineering school. Thayer partners with Be Equitable, consultants who support Dartmouth's “Toward Equity” plan. The process kick offs with meetings with Thayer's senior academic and administrative leaders in efforts to ensure leadership alignment and support for the efforts.
January–February 2023Thayer hosts 14 focus groups, with nearly 100 faculty, post-docs, administrative staff, and undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, alumni insights are gathered through an online survey.
March 2023Community members participate in day-long "Strategy Lab." They identify common themes, including areas for improvement and emerging DEI needs. Four key priorities emerge.
April–June 2023Be Equitable develops first draft of DEI Strategic Plan. Over multiple sessions, Thayer's DEI Strategic Planning project team revises, clarifies, and develops clear DEI objectives, actions, and measures.
July–August 2023Thayer's DEI Strategic Planning project team refines plan, develops online presence and communications materials in preparation for the launch.
September 2023Thayer launches the DEI strategic plan at a community event. The plan will be shared more widely with the Dartmouth community throughout the academic year.

Strategic Roadmap (At-a-Glance)

Strategic Planning Project Team

Petra Bonfert-Taylor, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Julia Abraham, Registrar
Simge Engelkiran, Thayer DEI Coordinator
Faith Goodness, Thayer Human Resources Director
Lee Koh, Sr. Director of Communications & Creative Services
Nandita Nanda, MEM student
Tricia Spellman, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer
Holly Wilkinson, Assistant Dean for Academic & Student Affairs
Chase Yakaboski, PhD candidate