Diversity forum draws standing-room-only audience

Mary James Legatski
ASME Public Affairs

Diversity in Engineering Education and Workforce," the first of its kind event hosted by ASME, drew a standing-room-only audience during the 2003 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in Washington.

Moderated by Joseph Bordogna, deputy director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the forum examined the current demographics of the U.S. scientific workforce, the benefits of a diverse workforce, and successful strategies for achieving diversity in engineering education and industry.

In his opening remarks, Bordogna noted, "We must graduate new generations of engineers who are attuned to change and nimble enough to contribute in unexpected ways. We need engineers working on the frontiers, constantly seeking new knowledge and developing new processes. We also need equally capable engineers who can creatively and carefully turn knowledge into improved designs for society's operational underpinnings. Diversity will be the lifeblood of our future progress and prosperity. The differences in race, ethnicity and gender that abound in our society are a positive force for creativity and dynamism. The divisions hold us back and sap our energy until we erase them."

Bordogna further emphasized the need for maximizing domestic talents in science and engineering by providing multiple pathways for broadening participation to meet the workforce for the 21st century.

A panel of nationally recognized professionals joined Bordogna in discussing four key topics: the U.S. agenda for diversity in science and engineering, U.S. federal initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in the engineering pipeline, private sector initiatives and incentives to promote a diverse workforce, and academic initiatives aimed at increasing diversity.

Experts taking part in the forum included Kathie L. Olsen, associate director for Science, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Patricia Mead of the National Academy of Engineering; Roger Nozaki, senior program manager, the GE Fund; Todd Allen, technical resources manager, Johnson & Johnson; Lisa Frehill, associate professor of sociology and program director, ADVANCE-Institutional Transformation at New Mexico State University, and Janie Fouke, dean, College of Engineering, Michigan State University.

The forum was organized by ASME Fellow Jane Davidson of the University of Minnesota and ASME member Gina Lee-Glauser of Syracuse University. It was sponsored by ASME's Board on Diversity and Outreach, Council on Public Affairs and Board on Engineering Education, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Bordogna's remarks, as well as the panelists' presentations, may be viewed on the ASME Web site at www.asme.org/communities/diversities/bdo/DiversitySessionPresentations.html. For more information, contact Mary James Legatski at legatskim@asme.org.

 

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