Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the Integrated Innovation Institute
At the Integrated Innovation Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, we're committed to engaging a diverse and connected global community, and to upholding the principle of equity, which, as a partner to excellence, is the foundation for ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have opportunities to succeed and thrive.
We define diversity, equity, and inclusion as:
Diversity
Diversity is recognizing difference and valuing that every individual is unique. This uniqueness is shaped by color, national origin, cognitive, emotional or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, genetic information, belief, veteran status, socioeconomic level, and other life experiences.
Equity
Equity is intentionally eliminating barriers and mitigating biases that prevent full participation and access to resources and networks for underrepresented groups across our faculty, staff and student populations.
Inclusion
Inclusion is the active, intentional, and ongoing process to increase awareness, empathetic understanding, and sense of belonging. Inclusion results in broadening perspectives and intentionally engaging historically marginalized groups to make our community a better place for all.As a department within Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering, the iii's DEI goals, objectives and action items relate directly back to the College's 5-Year DEI Strategic Plan.
College of Engineering Mission Statement & Objectives
- Objective 1: Engage everyone in DEI efforts.
- Objective 2: Foster an equitable and inclusive environment.
- Objective 3: Achieve and maintain diverse representation.
Subcommittees & Strategic Plan Objectives
The iii's three strategic plan objectives derived from a department-wide conversation guided by the following prompts:
- What does engaging everyone in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts look like?
- What does fostering an equitable & inclusive environment look like?
- What does achieving diverse representation among faculty, staff, and students look like?
As a result, three areas of focus were identified:
Transparency
Increase transparency of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, outcomes, and ways to accept input throughout the iii community.
View Action Items
Subcommittee Staff Members:
Athena Wintruba & Jess Ignasky
DEI Fellow:
Maria Beatriz Manrique Ardila
Accessibility
Champion accessibility and incorporate accessible practices across the department.
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Subcommittee Staff Members:
Emma Wooten & Phil Geist
DEI Fellow:
Seemran Mishra
Community
Create a community that honors diversity & cultural awareness among faculty, staff, and students.
View Action Items
Subcommittee Staff Members:
Gladys Mercier, Gabi Rogers, & Kristin Lavery
Action Items
Objective: Transparency
Website Updates
Scholarship Documents
Survey Community
Committed ▸ In Progress ▸ Implemented
Develop a process for surveying iii community members based on specific DEI initiatives.
Timeline: May 2023
Website Bio Pages
DEI Progress Dashboard
Social Media
Committed ▸ In Progress ▸ Implemented
Develop Social Media strategy for DEI content and engagement.
Timeline: March 2023
Hiring Transparency
Events
Objective: Accessibility
Document Accessibility Resources
Accessibility Best Practices
Objective: Community
DEI at Orientation
Peer Mentorship Program
DEI & Student Leaders
DEI Coffee Chats
Committed ▸ In Progress ▸ ImplementedFaculty & Staff Training
Intergroup Dialogue
Alumni Engagement
