"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education."

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dear COE Community,

Happy New Year! We hope you have enjoyed a restful break between semesters.

Over the next two weeks, the campus will recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the University's Celebration of Human Rights. We hope today's holiday allows everyone time to reflect on ways that we can all continue Dr. King's work. We included the quote above to inspire faculty, staff, and students to think about the ways that as an Engineer and Something More, each of us can have a positive impact on our society.

In addition to the University-sponsored events, the College of Engineering, in partnership with the Department of Mathematics, has organized a STEM Celebration of the Legacy of Dr. King called "MLK Day: Serving through STEM." This virtual event will be held Friday afternoon, January 29 from 3:30-5:00pm. The event link may be found here:

https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/95894051242 

As we prepare for spring classes to begin next week, we have posted progress updates on the college's DEI Action Plan. As you may recall, the plan has four objective areas, and through collaboration on subcommittees, we're proud of the progress that the DEI Council made last semester. If you have feedback or questions about the progress to-date on this plan, or any other suggestions, please contact the council here.  

Additionally, please SAVE THE DATE for "Building a Diverse Leadership Pool," presented by Dr. Jennifer Linderman, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Director of the UM ADVANCE Program at the University of Michigan.  This event is being jointly organized by the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering.  Tentative plans are for the seminar to be offered on the morning of Friday, February 12.  More details to come.

We look forward to a productive semester and, as always, appreciate all that our faculty, staff, and students do to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the College of Engineering.

Sarah Vigmostad, DEI Council co-chair
Cathy Koebrick, DEI Council co-chair