Carnegie Mellon University

Integrated Innovation Institute

Engineering + Design + Business

Carnegie Mellon University Integrated Innovation Institute Logo
A Note from our DEI Team Lead

"Through collaboration & input from all levels of our Integrated Innovation Institute community, our iii Equity in Action committee strives to combat the barriers of inequity that exist in higher education. Each person's contributions are not only a testament of dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion -- they are also a commitment to doing truly meaningful work with an impact that spans beyond our day-to-day duties. I am excited to be a part of a team that is committed to working together to create an environment of respect and to ultimately contribute to a future that is better for all." 

delabahan_gray_800x800.jpg    Leia Delabahan, Senior Academic & Student Services Advisor

DEI Fellows & Responsibilities

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellowship is awarded to two iii students (located in Silicon Valley & Pittsburgh) who are passionate advocates for social justice & equity. 

Fellows collaborate with iii staff on subcommittees to implement specific DEI initiatives as outlined on the College of Engineering DEI Strategic Plan and serve as representatives for the iii student population across both campuses on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

2023 - 2024 Fellows

Nitya Mathur
MIIPS '24

Nitya completed her undergraduate degree in computer science engineering from New Delhi, India. Innovations that have the potential to change the world intrigue her, and she is committed to take on the challenge of playing an influential role in state-of-the-art technologies, especially in the field of Natural Language Processing, while welcoming the flexibility of her future career path.

Vulnerability is power, hence Nitya strives to be unapologetically herself while asking the right questions to encourage others to share their perspectives. She is an ardent advocate for mental health and loves going to therapy. To rejuvenate, she reads, swims and watches Formula 1.

Neha Suresh Kumar
MSSM '24

Neha Suresh is an MSSM student from Chennai, India. She has over 5 years of software engineering experience in a SaaS company and was part of a small NGO, called Mritsa, which promoted clean and green living in the local neighborhood.

She actively looks for ways to broaden her horizon, and understand different cultures and ways of living. She can fluently speak 4 languages and is currently learning one more. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, gardening and doing yoga. She also enjoys front-end development and like building small games.

She firmly goes by this quote, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Fellowships are awarded for three semesters, with specific responsibilities assigned to fellows each semester:


2023 - 2024 Fellowship Overview

Fall

  • Begin iii Equity in Action Subcommittee work
  • Establish bi-weekly coffee chats
  • Participate in Bystander Intervention Training
  • Fall iii community event

Spring

  • Continue iii Equity in Action subcommittee work & bi-weekly coffeee chats
  • Plan & facilitate International Student Panel (admitted students)
  • Spring iii community event

Summer

  • Summer Project in Collaboration with Peer Mentors
  • Onboarding incoming DEI Fellow
    (2024 - 2025 year)


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Interested in becoming a DEI fellow? Applications for the Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley DEI fellow positions begin the summer before the start of your respective program. For more information, contact Leia Delahaban.

 

Subcommittee Members & Responsibilities

Staff, Program Directors and DEI Fellows collaborate on subcommittees focused on three department objectives: Transparency, Accessibility and Community. It is each subcommittee's responsibility to assess what is already being done in each of these three areas and to then determine how the iii can enhance and add to these objectives moving forward.

Transparency Subcommittee

Goal: Increase transparency of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, outcomes, and ways to accept input throughout the iii community.

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Athena Wintruba
Associate Director of Admissions
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Jess Ignasky
Communications Manager
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Maria Beatriz Manrique Ardila
MIIPS '23

Accessibility Subcommittee

Goal: Champion accessibility and incorporate accessible practices across the department.

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Emma Wooten
Academic & Event Coordinator
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Phil Geist
Web Content Manager
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Seemran Mishra
MSSM '23

Community Subcommittee 

Goal: Create a community that honors diversity & cultural awareness among faculty, staff, and students.

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Gladys Mercier
Program Director, M.S. Software Management
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Gabi Rogers

Academic Advisor
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Kristin Lavery
Online Program Manager

Subcommittees are organized annually, with action items spanning the calendar year:

August - September '22

  • Subcommittees finalized in late-July
  • Subcommittees research existing initiatives & gaps within the department as it relates to their objective
  • Subcommittees report out their findings to entire Equity in Action Committee

October '22

  • Based on research & feedback, subcommittees will refine and prioritize the initiatives they will be working on for the upcoming year
November '22 - July '23

  • Subcommittees will spend the rest of the year meeting regularly to implement initiatives
  • All subcommittees will meet as an entire committee once a month to report out their progress

Each summer the focus areas and subcommittees will be reevaluated to meet the ongoing needs of the iii and strategic goals of the College of Engineering.