College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Diversity

At the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, we recognize that our strength emerges from the diversity of our faculty, students and staff. We know that when we bring together a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, and life experiences along with inter-disciplinary engineering knowledge and skills, we strive to coalesce the creativity required to solve the most complex challenges.

Some of the student organizations that represent our diverse student cohorts include:

  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
  • Society of Women Engineers

CEET core values include initiatives that focus on diversity, inclusion and ethics, such as:

  • Building on transparency and shared governance.
  • Promoting equity, participation and belonging.
  • Promoting professional ethical conduct.

Initiatives

CEET has the following initiatives in place to enhance the experience of our diverse cohorts and support the unique needs of our students.

  • Engineering "Ted" talks and workshops – Each month, talks will be provided by different student organizations with topics designed to stimulate discussions that inspire and support the academic experience.   
  • Marketing strategies to increase the number of women students and students of color – Students will help will outreach efforts to underserved groups by participating in recruiting events and making connections to teachers and student organizations at their alma mater high schools.  
  • Culture nights – Monthly events where groups of students will share their cultures’ food and traditions.   

Ethnic distribution of undergraduates for fall 2023:

Demographic Percentage in the College
Asian 7.62%
Black 14.46%
Hispanic 27.70%
White 43.65%
Nonresident alien 3.07%
2+ races 2.28%
American/Alaskan Indigenous 0.35%
Unknown 0.88%

As of fall 2023, 16.39% of full-time undergraduate and graduate engineering students are female. 

DEI Talks

Collins Aerospace

Special thanks to Collins Aerospace for their sponsorship of the CEET DEI initiatives.

Contact Us

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Engineering Building
590 Garden Rd, DeKalb, IL
815-753-2256
ceet@niu.edu
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