Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The faculty, students, and staff of the University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering are committed to a department culture that supports and celebrates each of our members in their studies and their work.
We know that excellence and diversity go hand-in-hand. Only with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff – diversity of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, skin color, socioeconomic status, physical and mental challenges faced – can Michigan Aero be the leaders and best. Whether you are a student, an educator, a discoverer, an innovator, a technician, an administrator – or any combination of those – we value what makes you you.
DEI RESOURCES
Whether you are a student, an educator, a discoverer, an innovator, a technician, an administrator—or any combination of those—we value what makes you you. See a list of faculty, staff and student diversity, equity, and inclusion resources.
AERO DEI AND OUTREACH COMMITTEES
The Aerospace Department DEI and Outreach Committees comprise students, faculty, and staff leaders. We work to support the University DEI strategic plan, and that of the College of Engineering: Beyond the five-year plan. In particular, we work to forward the DEI College strategic objectives in our department.
OUR GOALS
- Create opportunities for engagement, learning, and dialogue about DEI
- Identify and track metrics to monitor and demonstrate progress in advancing DEI goals
- Provide accountability at all levels
- Build a safe, supportive, and constructive climate
- Create a welcoming and accessible environment
- Enhance diverse representation in leadership among faculty, staff, and students
- Support and uplift resources and events that advance DEI in our community
OUTREACH
Outreach plays an important role in representational diversity. Our efforts focus on local underserved communities.
Featured Activities:
COMMUNICATION
We want you to feel heard! This year we have taken steps to hold ourselves accountable, increase transparency in our DEI efforts, and more equitably represent you.
COMMUNITY
Building a vibrant community makes us all feel like we belong.
Featured Activities:
Brown bag lunches with the department chair
Coffee hours—faculty-hosted virtual hangouts
Contact Gwen Brown to learn more about these events.
CLIMATE
In an effort to improve our departmental climate, we are focusing on collecting statistics and improving mentorship.
DEI TRAINING
As academics, we understand that learning is a lifelong process. We are dedicated to continuing this journey in pursuit of equitable representation.
Featured Efforts:
Semesterly AEROSP 200 “Perceptions, Expectations, Prejudices” lecture
Semesterly AEROSP 585 seminar on implicit bias, stereotype threat, and accumulation of disadvantage
GET INVOLVED!
Besides attending our events, there are many ways to get involved if you’re interested in contributing to our department’s DEI and outreach efforts.
Contact:
AERO DEI SUMMARY
AERO DEI Summary
Inform AERO staff, faculty and students of the DEI Committee’s current status, progress, and goals.
Aero Project 9: Next Generation Space Propulsion Testing
Faculty mentor: Prof. Benjamin Jorns
Prerequisites:
- Hands-on project work in both mechanical and electrical engineering.
- Programming experience in MatLab and LabView.
Description:
The purpose of this project is to assist the faculty mentor and his graduate students in a series of experimental campaigns planned over the summer. The goal is to perform performance and plasma measurements for several new electric thruster concepts under development at Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory. Tasks may include probe construction, data analysis, or thruster development.
Research Mode: TBD
WANT YOUR CONCERNS OR IDEAS HEARD?
Share your concerns using the following student and faculty & staff anonymous reporting forms.
