Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Environmental Engineering program actively contributes to the CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science’s commitment to creating a diverse environment where all engineering students are engaged and students who are traditionally underrepresented and underserved in engineering—including women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—are empowered to achieve their dreams.

We are strongly committed to continuously advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our community education. To provide solutions to the grand environmental challenges affecting local and global societies, we recognize that we need to bring together a diverse array of experiences, opinions, perspectives and approaches. With diversity and an equitable and inclusive environment, we believe we can develop solutions that will overcome the biggest challenges impacting communities today. 

To meet our commitment to creating and maintaining a community that upholds these values, we are committed to

  • Prioritizing actions toward an inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff;
  • Providing evidence-based and equity-enhancing support and opportunities, including mentorship, fellowships, and research support;
  • Providing educational experiences for our students that engage the interrelationship between engineering and social justice;
  • Developing and implementing a departmental and program Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics (IDEA) plan in alignment with University of Colorado Boulder; and
  • Listening to members of our community so that we can continuously improve.

These and additional innovative strategies are crucial for the entire engineering industry, and it is critical to our program to make engineering a viable career path for all students. 

For more information about what we are doing to continuously enhance diversity, equity and inclusion, please visit the following: 

The University of Colorado Boulder and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) offer many opportunities, programs and events to encourage diversity and inclusion:  

Explore our college’s diversity and inclusion actions and resources website to discover important inclusion and equity communications, events, development opportunities and resources.

The BOLD (Broadening Opportunity through Leadership and Diversity) Center works to increase the representation of women and underrepresented minority students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and to foster an inclusive engineering community. The goal of the BOLD Center is to support the retention and graduation of students that mirror Colorado’s diverse population.

The BOLD Center offers community-building exercises, tutoring, and career development for all CEAS students. The BOLD Center also supports eight affinity-focused student societies open to all students. Additionally, the BOLD center offers several BOLD Scholarships. Any incoming CU student who wants to be an active member of the BOLD community can apply for the BOLD Scholarships.

Finally, BOLD encourages students from underrepresented groups to get involved in Engineering through the GoldShirt Program. The Engineering GoldShirt program provides a pathway to engineering for students historically underrepresented in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The program’s purpose is to expand access to engineering and support students through community, academic support, and access to resources. We work to ensure the success of these motivated students as they pursue their engineering degrees and become future innovators and leaders.

CU Boulder’s CISC (Center for Inclusion and Social Change) is focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive space on campus. It supports all students and identities and provides community-building programs, education and activism. The CISC was formed in 2018 by a merger of the Cultural Unity and Engagement Center, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Gender and Sexuality Center to offer greater advocacy for all students. The CISC puts on events throughout the year including the CUnity Fest, the Women’s Leadership Symposium, and the TRANSforming Gender Conference.

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Community Engagement (ODECE) works across the campus to make sure that CU’s Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics (IDEA) plan is practiced and all students receive inclusive and equitable educational opportunities. ODECE plans the annual Diversity & Inclusion Summit.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science’s International Programs help students establish the global competency necessary to be an engineer in the modern, global economy. Programs include the Global Engineering RAP and minor, numerous study abroad opportunities, and programs to encourage international students to study and perform research in Boulder.

The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office supports international students through advising, engagement and advocacy. ISSS helps students adjust to life at CU and in the U.S., helps with immigration processes, and helps students access campus and community resources. In recent years, the ISSS has seen international student enrollment exceed 3,000 students.

The Division of Student Affairs helps to develop successful outcomes for each individual student. It encompasses all the basic support services that students need to succeed at CU Boulder. Student Affairs is committed to diversity and works to make sure the education students receive is socially just and equitable.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science hosts several events and resources aimed at increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in our college. These include:

  • EngiNearMe: This weeklong summer program offers rising seniors from Colorado high schools an opportunity to explore everything engineering has to offer.
  • ACTIVE: This CU Engineering faculty development and leadership intensive is open to doctoral students whose identity community/ies are underrepresented in STEM and who are interested in pursuing engineering faculty careers.
  • Training and workshops
  • A community resources list

There are many other Diversity & Inclusion focused events throughout the year that can be seen on the ODECE Events Calendar, including: 

  • LGTBQ & Allies Skating Night 
  • Chinese New Year Festival 
  • AWM STEMinst Reading Group
  • Year round workshops and trainings
  • The ISSS offers career workshops for International Â鶹ÒùÔº:
  • Resume and Cover Letter Tips for International Â鶹ÒùÔº
  • Unwritten Rules of the U.S. Job Market 
  • Interviewing Tips for International Â鶹ÒùÔº

CU hosts several diversity-serving and professional engineering societies including:

In addition to these, the Center for Student Involvement has many international and social justice focused student organizations that represent many of our engineering students.