Students participate in ODE

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Resources

Diversity and inclusion make for better engineers—and a better experience for engineering students.

That’s why Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering embraces diversity and inclusion in the classroom and in the laboratory—whether that’s racial, ethnic, sexual or gender diversity. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Duke Engineering offers many opportunities for underrepresented groups, from student groups to fellowships, to recruiting incentives, to events and activities that celebrate the diversity of our entire community.

Duke Engineering is proud to be part of the American Society of Engineering Education’s (ASEE) Deans Diversity Initiative. We have earned the Bronze Award from the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program, and its recommendation as a national exemplar.

Resources for the bme community

Graduate Student Resources and Recruitment Support

We offer attractive packages of fellowships and scholarships to PhD and master's students from underrepresented groups, including women and persons with disabilities.

These include:

  • Application fee waivers
  • Dean's Graduate Fellowship
  • Sloan Scholarship
  • Competitive scholarships to enhance diversity in the BME community
  • Master's scholarships to support new MS projects
  • Assistance with applications for external competitive fellowships

LEARN MORE

Student Organizations

Association for Women in Science (AWIS)

Duke is an institutional member of the Association for Women in Science and individual memberships are free for Duke students, staff and faculty. AWIS advocates for gender equity and the advancement of women in STEM fields, and offers professional development, networking, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

Duke Biomedical Engineering Society

Duke's Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) is an organization of curious and talented young people who seek to make a difference in the world. Representing the largest engineering major at Duke, BMES offers a wide range of activities from course panels and tours to banquets and social events. Through our events, we offer unique opportunities to interact with other Biomedical Engineering students, faculty, and professionals.

Bouchet Society

The Duke University Bouchet Society primarily supports underrepresented minority graduate students in the pursuit of scholarly excellence in the Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics

Duke Technology Scholars Program

The Duke Technology Scholars Program is a comprehensive effort to empower the next generation of diverse leaders who will bring increased innovation to the tech industry.

The DTech program centers around the idea that community, mentorship and hands-on experience make the difference in recruiting and retaining under-represented people in technology fields.

  • Program Coordinator: Kelly Perri
  • Faculty Director: Dr. Shani Daily

Females and Allies Excelling More in Math, Engineering & Science (FEMMES+)

Femmes+ focuses on enrichment and mentoring to high school-aged students. Duke students lead camps, workshops and social and professional events. 

Out For Undergrad (O4U)

Out for Undergrad is a national professional development program to help high-performing LGBTQ undergraduate students reach their full potential. Admitted O4U students take part in professional meetings produced with industry partners. Applications to join the next O4U annual class open each March.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Its mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

Samuel Dubois Cook Society

Named in honor of the first black professor to be hired at Duke University, the Samuel Dubois Cook Society is committed to translate the promise and potential of African Americans into fulfillment and actuality, and to seek to improve relations among persons of all backgrounds.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

The mission of SHPE is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

The mission of SWE is to empower women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion.

SISTERS IN STEM (SIS)

Sisters in STEM (SIS) is a group that gives Black women in STEM at the graduate level at Duke a place to get together and socialize on a monthly basis throughout the semester. SIS gives members a safe place to express their ideas, support one another, and network with other Black women in STEM across various graduate programs on campus. The organization is devoted to creating an accepting community where everyone can be seen and heard.

DUKE Chinese Student and Scholars ASSOCIATION

Duke Chinese Student and Scholar Association (DCSSA), a non-profit organization consisting of Chinese students, scholars, staff and faculty at Duke University, is established with the mission of mutual help and service. The purpose of DCSSA is to serve and consolidate its Duke Chinese community as well as those interested in Chinese culture, and promote the exchange among its members, Duke community and Duke alumni.

Duke International Student Center

DISC supports international students throughout the year with programming, orientation, community building and advocacy.

Duke BEPSA

The Duke Biomedical PhD Student Association's mission is to give a voice to Duke’s BME doctoral student body and make the PhD student experience the best it can be. The organization facilitates communication between students and faculty, connects students to resources available within the department, and advocates for the department within and outside of Duke University.

The Duke Engineering Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community

The Pratt School of Engineering's standing Committee on Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Community is a representative developing and implementing a collaborative, comprehensive strategy to continue building a strong, thriving community.

The committee develops the strategic priorities for diversity and inclusion with measurable outcomes.

Members serve as liaisons to teams and units across all four engineering departments.

More about the Duke Engineering DEIC committee »

Contact the Duke Engineering DEIC Committee

If you’d like more information about school-wide efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion at Duke Engineering, please contact us.

Need to report a complaint or concern?

Click here to contact Duke's Office for Institutional Equity

Duke resources

Because diversity is essential to fulfilling the university’s mission, Duke is committed to building an inclusive and diverse university community.  Every student, faculty, and staff member — whatever their race, gender, age, ethnicity, cultural heritage or nationality; religious or political beliefs; sexual orientation or gender identity; or socioeconomic, veteran or ability status — has the right to inclusion, respect, agency and voice in the Duke community.  Further, all members of the University community have a responsibility to uphold these values and actively foster full participation in university life. Resources available to all Duke students include:

Newsletter

Community Conntections logo

Sent monthly from the Duke Engineering Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to the Pratt School of Engineering community.

Archive

Engineering Deans Diversity Initiative

Engineering Deans Diversity Initiative Logo

Duke Engineering is proud to be part of the American Society for Engineering Education’s (ASEE) Engineering Deans Diversity Initiative, a commitment to providing educational experiences that are inclusive and prevent marginalization of any groups of people because of visible or invisible differences.

 We have earned the Bronze Award from the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program, and its recommendation as an exemplary institution.

More about the Engineering Deans Diversity Initiative »