Inclusive Engineering Mentoring Initiative
Chemical Engineering Professor and Department Chair Dr. Rebecca Willits has been awarded an $800,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) award for the project “BPE Track 3: Engineering Academic Mentoring Collective.” The NSF BPE Track 3 initiative focuses on building supportive networks for underrepresented groups in engineering, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals and women. By emphasizing inclusive mentoring and culturally responsive training, the project aims to demystify the transition into academia, enhance faculty retention, and prepare diverse faculty to drive innovation and improve public engagement in science. The program provides professional training for PhD and postdoctoral students while offering resources for universities to replicate its successful approach. Building on prior NSF-supported projects, this effort highlights the importance of mentorship in fostering a more inclusive and innovative engineering workforce.