D&I Annual Report 2024–2025

Year Two: Staff performance reviews and job descriptions

Working Group: Tricia Spellman (chair), Bruce Laferriere, Elisabeth Waltz, Ron Lasky

Objective: Strengthen staff performance reviews and job descriptions by incorporating clear, action-oriented responsibilities and self-assessments that reinforce accountability and align with Thayer's values.

Milestones

• Dartmouth Human Resources, in partnership with Thayer Human Resources, updated the annual performance review form and process for implementation in future review cycles.
• Dartmouth and Thayer Human Resources continued advancing a campus-wide job architecture initiative designed to improve consistency and alignment across similar roles.

Year Two: Fireside Chats

Working Group: Britt Goods (co-chair), Simge Engelkiran (co-chair), Eugene Korsunskiy, Hung V.-T. Nguyen, Jen Seiler

Objective: Foster community, civility, and transparency by hosting quarterly Fireside Chats in which leaders actively participate and support Thayer's D&I mission, strengthening trust and engagement across the community.

Milestones

• Hosted three Fireside Chats with senior leadership on the following topics:
  • Thriving in Winter
  • Retaining Sanity in the Age of Digital Overload
  • Factors Influencing Confidence Levels in the Workplace and Classroom

Year Two: Clear and inclusive feedback mechanisms

Working Group: Emily Monroe (chair), Elisabeth Waltz, Lydia Reedstrom, Petra Bonfert-Taylor, Vicki May

Objective: Establish and communicate clear, inclusive feedback channels that enhance transparency, strengthen engagement, and support Thayer's D&I goals while fostering a culture of community and civility.

Milestones

• Held five listening sessions in December 2024 to gather insights from staff and research personnel.
• Used insights from the listening sessions to inform next steps and guide ongoing planning.

Year Two: Training, coursework, learning app

Working Group: Katie Hixon (co-chair), Simge Engelkiran (co-chair), Helene Seroussi, Kelli Kehoe, Wei Ouyang

Objective: Empower every community member with the knowledge and tools to foster an inclusive environment and support continuous learning and community building across all levels of Thayer.

Milestones

• Organized five Learning Series for faculty and staff, delivered through weekly email communications. These series covered key D&I topics, including:
  • Vocabulary Primer (September–October 2024)
  • Multilingualism (October–December 2024
  • Cultural Appropriation (January–February 2025)
  • Supportive Academic Community (March–April 2025)
  • Accessibility (April–May 2025)
     
• Facilitated community conversations that provided opportunities for faculty and staff to share perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue.
• Piloted two Learning Series for students, focused on:
  • Cultural Appropriation (February–March 2025)
  • Multilingualism (April 2025)

Year Two: Resources (physical and digital)

Working Group: Haley Tucker (chair), Alex Boys, Linda Braden, Rafe Steinhauer, William Ren

Objective: Ensure that all of Thayer's physical and digital resources are inclusive, accessible, and supportive of the needs of the entire community.

Milestones

• Began exploring improvements to signage for graduate student and postdoc offices to enhance clarity and wayfinding.
• Initiated efforts to expand access to menstrual products in all restrooms, aligning with Dartmouth-wide policies.
• Started developing an inclusive communications plan to strengthen how events and activities are shared online, laying the groundwork for continued progress.
• Implemented enhanced onboarding for newer faculty through four winter 2025 Evidence-based Introduction to STEM Teaching workshops led by Professor Rafe Steinhauer. Designed for faculty who joined Thayer in December 2023 or later, each session provided practical strategies and foundational knowledge for effective teaching and served approximately 10 participants.
• Launched Teaching at Thayer FAQs, a series of short videos featuring faculty insights—such as Professor Sol Diamond's guidance on teaching within a 10-week term—and created a dedicated Canvas site to centralize workshop materials and FAQ content in one accessible location.

Year Two: Tenure-line faculty career development

Working Group: Emme Burgin (chair), Ashley Parker, Erin Mayfield, Laura Ray, Sol Diamond, Wesley Marrero

Objective: Strengthen transparency, inclusion, and clarity within the tenure and promotion processes by identifying barriers, enhancing support structures, and establishing clear expectations for faculty advancement.

Milestones

• Added new language to the faculty handbook addressing potential bias in tenure and promotion evaluations, reinforcing the institution's commitment to equity.
• Invited junior tenure-line faculty to join a faculty-hosted Slack workspace designed to support new principal investigators and foster peer connection.
• Developed programming for an upcoming mentorship lunch, featuring a faculty panel on funding opportunities and collaborative "group science."
• Began planning an event for recently tenured faculty to share their experiences and insights with junior colleagues during a new faculty lunch in fall 2025.
• Established a new pool of funding to support in-person faculty conversations aimed at fostering collaboration and idea-sharing.

Year Two: Research staff career development

Working Group: Dan Olson (appointed by Dean)

Objective: Understand and strengthen the career development pathways for research faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, and other research staff to ensure equitable support and access to growth opportunities across Thayer.

Milestones

• Conducted surveys and interviews to better understand the career- development needs of research faculty, research scientists, and post-doctoral scholars at Thayer.
• Reviewed existing institutional support and identified key opportunities to enhance career development resources for research staff across the school.

Year Two: Mentorship

Working Group: Jess Kinzie (co-chair), Lee Koh (co-chair), Peter Chin, Erin Mayfield, Matthias Fitzpatrick

Objective: Strengthen and expand student-to-student and faculty-to-student mentorship opportunities that support student success and foster meaningful connections across the Thayer community.

Milestones

• Reviewed existing mentorship programs at Thayer and across Dartmouth to assess strengths, identify gaps, and determine opportunities for combining, enhancing, or retiring programs as needed.
• Developed a mentorship survey to better understand students' experiences with mentorship across Dartmouth. Due to committee transitions in 2025, the survey will be administered at a later date.
• Planned the integration of mentorship information into fall 2025 orientation to ensure incoming students are aware of available support and resources.
• Proposed a new structure for the 2025–2026 Mentorship Working Group that includes current students, enabling a more accurate understanding of student mentorship needs.

Year Two: Barriers to student success

Working Group: Colin Meyer (chair), Jentry Campbell, Julia Abraham, Liz Lerret, Wesley Marrero

Objective: Increase access to research and graduate pathways for promising students, particularly those traditionally underrepresented in STEM, by developing a bridge-to-PhD initiative and reducing barriers to opportunity.

Milestones

• Developed and secured funding for a bridge program that connects students from partner institutions with research experiences at Thayer and across Dartmouth.
• Established partnerships with the University of Valle (Colombia) and Ana G. Méndez University (Puerto Rico), both of which committed funding to support student participation in undergraduate research opportunities.
• Hosted four students in summer 2025 for undergraduate research experiences at Dartmouth, with three students participating remotely and one attending in person.

Mini Panel at Faculty Meeting

During the annual faculty meeting, the D&I Committee presented a session on "Career Preparation Insights from International Students and Alumni," highlighting student experiences and elevating perspectives on career pathways.

International Student Career Day

Thayer Career Services collaborated with campus partners to offer a series of panels and programs designed to support international students. These sessions introduced students to campus resources—including Dartmouth's Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS)—and provided access to both in-person and virtual guidance.

2024–2025 Events

• OPT/ CPT sessions with Keri Niles (OVIS)
• Q&A Panel with international alumni
• Life after Dartmouth with Susan Ellison (OVIS)
• Open Office Hours with Keri Niles (OVIS)

D&I Fellows

Each D&I Fellow designed and led an educational program to promote peer-to-peer learning, dialogue, and student engagement. Highlights from the year include:

• Navigating Workplace Accommodations in the Hiring Process: Academic Coach Meghan Brandow offered practical guidance on discussing accessibility needs and workplace accommodations during hiring.
• Breaking Stigmas, Building Bridges—An inclusive exploration of mental health: A panel that explored how diverse identities influence mental well-being, featuring candid reflections from panelists and providing a welcoming space for conversation, connection, and support.
• Navigating the Job Search—Insights from Thayer alumni across diverse backgrounds: A panel of alumni shared their experiences navigating the job search and workplace environments, offering advice and career insights to current students.

Community Health & Wellness

Thayer's Community Health and Wellness Committee supports a thriving campus environment by facilitating gatherings and programs that promote well-being, connection, and community engagement. Throughout the year, the committee organized events designed to bring students, staff, and faculty together in meaningful and enjoyable ways.

2024–2025 Events

• Halloween Party (October 2024)
• Power-of-the-Pause meditation training (December 2024)
• Threshold Throwdown holiday door-decorating contest (December 2024)
• Shamrock Shuffle community 5k and post-race appetizers (March 2025)
• Staff appreciation board games and snacks (April 2025)
• Wags 'n' Waffles (May 2025)

Committee Members

Zack Bennis, Sol Diamond, Simge Engelkiran, Shudong Jiang, Danielle Pierce, Lydia Reedstrom, Elisabeth Waltz, Holly Wilkinson

Professional Development for Underrepresented Engineers

Thayer continues to invest in the academic, professional, and leadership development of students underrepresented in engineering by supporting four active student organizations:

• Advancing Indigenous Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) 

A highlight of the year was the invitation for AISES, NSBE, and SHPE to present at the annual Board of Advisors' Luncheon in February 2025, where students shared their accomplishments, growth over the past five years, and contributions to the Thayer community.

During 2024–2025, Thayer funded 36 students to attend national conferences in Chicago, San Antonio, and Anaheim, expanding access to professional networking and leadership development opportunities.

Student Organization Highlights

Advancing Indigenous Science and Engineering Society (AISES) 

• 42 active members; 35.5 percent membership growth from 2023–2024 to 2024–2025
• Six members attended the national conference; six attended the regional conference
• On-campus activities included:
  • Hosting an activity at Thayer's annual Open House
  • Organization-wide study sessions and office hours
  • "Exploration of STEAM" event for the Dartmouth community
  • Resume-building workshops with Career Services
  • Guest speaker series covering STEM opportunities
  • "Exam Week Mental Health Break" (with SHPE, SWE, and NSBE)

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) 

• 55 active members, an increase of 15 members from the previous year
• 13 members attended the national conference in Chicago
• On-campus activities included:
  • Professional development sessions with alumni, in person and via Zoom
  • Resume and portfolio workshops with Career Services
  • "How to Be a Humanitarian Engineer" collaboration with DHE
  • Major declaration coffee hours
  • "Exam Week Mental Health Break" (with SHPE and SWE)

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

• 46 active members
• Nine undergraduate members attended the national conference in Chicago
• Two graduate students attended as Thayer representatives for recruitment
• On-campus activities included:
  • Professional development workshops with Career Services
  • "First-Generation Engineering Chat" with the Office of First Generation and Alumni Relations
  • "Exam Week Mental Health Break" (with SHPE and NSBE)
  • Hosting an activity at Thayer's annual Open House

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) 

• 79 active members; 37 percent membership growth from 2023 to 2024
• 10 members attended national conference in Anaheim, California
• On-campus professional development and community-building activities included:
  • Resume workshops in collaboration with Career Services
  • Career recruitment workshop with Career Services
  • Alumni career panel
  • Dinner with faculty to foster mentorship and connection
  • Handshake recruitment workshop with the Center for Professional Development
  • "Exam Week Mental Health Break" (with SWE and NSBE)
  • Hosting activity at Thayer's annual Open House

Faculty

• Alex Boys, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Petra Bonfert-Taylor, Associate Dean for Community Success
• Emme Burgin, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Peter Chin, Professor of Engineering
• Sol Diamond, Associate Professor of Engineering
• Mattias Fitzpatrick, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Britt Goods, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Katie Hixon, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Eugene Korsunskiy, Associate Professor of Engineering
• Ron Lasky, Professor of Engineering
• Erin Mayfield, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Vicki May, Professor of Engineering
• Wesley Marrero, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Colin Meyer, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Dan Olson, Associate Professor of Engineering
• Wei Ouyang, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Laura Ray, Professor of Engineering
• Hélène Seroussi, Associate Professor of Engineering
• Rafe Steinhauer, Assistant Professor of Engineering

Staff

• Linda Braden, Associate Director of Web & Digital Strategy
• Jentry Campbell, Research & Learning Librarian
• Simge Engelkiran, Program Manager–Community Programming
• Kelli Kehoe, MShop/Makerspace Office Manager
• Jess Kinzie, Student Success & Outreach Manager
• Lee Koh, Sr. Director of Communications
• Bruce Laferriere, Administrative Manager
• Emily Monroe, Director of the Cook Engineering Design Center
• Ashley Parker, Faculty Affairs Manager
• Lydia Reedstrom, Institutional Research Analyst
• William Ren, Computer Systems Analyst
• Jen Seiler, Chief of Staff for Thayer Advancement
• Tricia Spellman, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer
• Haley Tucker, Student Recruitment & Marketing Manager
• Elisabeth Waltz, HR Director/Business Partner

Students

• Kaushika Balaji, MEM student
• John Ellis, MEng student
• Osemudiamen Izokun, MEng Student
• Maya Bryson '25, Undergraduate Student