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Inclusion and Diversity

a wide range of multi-cultural students standing in a lab in front and behind two blue machines during a ESSA event

A place to belong and thrive

We strive to provide a place where faculty, students, and staff experience and contribute to a community that embraces and celebrates diversity. Through our collective efforts, we aim to offer each individual an equitable, supportive, positive, and safe environment that results in a place for all to belong and thrive.

Fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is an active and ongoing process requiring the implementation of new programs and the evolution of existing ones. We celebrate our vibrant community where every member is valued, and together we commit to continuous learning, growth in thinking, and respect for differing perspectives and beliefs.


Dean's messageJohn Papapolymerou in lab

At Michigan State University's College of Engineering, we commit to ensuring access to high-quality engineering and computer science education programs for all. We believe individuals thrive in environments where diversity, equity, and inclusion closely integrate with teaching, learning, and curricula. We focus on the impact of our words, actions, and decisions while striving to provide every individual with opportunity and community.

Read John Papapolymerou's welcome letter


Programs and initiatives

Broadening Participation K-12

Increasing awareness of the meaningful ways engineering impacts lives with a focus on diversity starts here.

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Women in Engineering

We coordinate programs and resources to support engineering students from a diversity of backgrounds.

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First-generation Student Initiatives

Supporting students who are the first in their family to attend college with resources for a successful college experience.

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Multi-cultural Initiatives

Through multicultural programming and community building, our goal is to foster student success in engineering.  

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Gender and Sexuality Student Success

Retaining students from first-year to senior year starts with a commitment to customized programming and mentoring.

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Veterans and Military-Connected Students

Creating a community of support starts with understanding the unique needs of our students.

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Faculty research activities

Supporting Smallholder Farmers Nigeria

Shanelle N. Foster

Working with an interdisciplinary team of experts from Finland, Nigeria and South Africa to address disparities in resource availability and realize decentralized clean energy solutions for rural farmers in Taraba State.

Reducing Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes

Adam Alessio

For some cancers, there are substantial disparities in outcomes for different racial groups with as much as 30% lower 5-year survival for some groups. This research will seek to find hidden data features that may help guide treatment for disparate groups.

Engineers without Borders
(EWB –MSU)

Susan J. Masten

EWB-MSU students partner with communities around the world to create sustainable solutions and build a better world. Shown here are MSU students building a rainwater collection system for a school in Buyuni, Tanzania.

Supporting Rural Farming Communities

Xiaobo Tan

Spartan engineers are developing snake robots for monitoring agricultural drainage pipes, to facilitate decision-making in management of drainage infrastructure and farming practices for rural communities.


Academia and Industry: Collaborating for the win

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