Issues Of Diversity In Engineering Education And A Path Forward For Action

This is the second of two invited papers for the special panel session on issues of diversity in engineering education. Whereas much work has already been done on the question of diversity and engineering education, many issues deserve attention and much work remains to be done in setting a path forward for real-world action. This paper focuses on why we need diversity for the national well-being – to promote economic and competitive advantage; to provide national benefits to the engineering profession; to leverage the good work that has been done so far; to confront the real, unspoken issues of diversity; and to recommend a path forward for action at the national level. The paper includes a “holistic diversity model” that applies to both education and industry. The model consists of four primary elements: 1) Diversity of Representation; 2) Valuing Diversity; 3) Managing Diversity and; 4) Marketplace Diversity.