In support of our mission to advance engineering excellence through equitable practices and institutional structures, we have developed a five-year strategic plan which will guide the decisions and investments we make to ensure all students, faculty and staff feel valued and, most importantly, thrive in the School of Engineering at Rice University.

Our Objectives

Build an equitable environment that fosters engineering excellence across the School of Engineering

Key Outcomes:

1. Establish a School of Engineering Center focused on promoting engineering excellence through various equity efforts including research and assessment, community development, faculty development, engineering pedagogy and accountability.
2. Comprehensively assess the social and institutional environment using validated instruments to identify best practices, strengths, and areas for improvement across the School of Engineering.
3. Track the trajectories of Rice engineering students (undergraduate and graduate) from historically-excluded communities. This information will help enlighten the leadership on both successes and points of tension that might lead to the exclusion of STEM students from historically marginalized communities.
4. Develop an inclusive community through intentional and purposeful engagement that elevates marginalized voices. An inclusive culture includes transparency and accountability for addressing inequities that were a result of historical policies and practices.

Build engineering educational pathways that facilitate student trajectories from high school to engineering faculty positions

Key Outcomes:

1. Broaden the Ph.D. student population.
2. Broaden representation of engineering faculty.

Develop and sustain strategic partnerships that facilitate engineering pathways

Key Outcomes:

1. Partner with internal entities, such as the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, Center for Teaching Excellence, Disabilities Resource Center, and the Office of the Vice Provost to develop campus-wide programming and/or changes that cultivate engineering excellence within Rice.
2. Identify, build, and sustain partnerships and alliances with external institutions locally in Texas, with a special focus on the Houston community. External institutions will include non-profit organizations, corporations, and foundations interested in advancing engineering excellence through equity.
3. Support Rice Central Administration and Admissions in efforts to broaden the undergraduate student population.