College of Engineering and Computing Sciences Recognized for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Pictured: Members of New York Tech’s student chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.

NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences has received Bronze Level Recognition from the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Diversity Recognition Program.

The College of Engineering and Computing Sciences exemplifies New York Institute of Technology’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff through several programs and initiatives, which foster a community of care, personal and professional development, and a sense of belonging.

“The College of Engineering and Computing Sciences is very proud of this recognition, as it demonstrates our sustained focus on supporting New York Tech’s mission of providing access to education, particularly for underrepresented students in engineering, and for developing a pipeline of engineers to enter the workforce of today and tomorrow,” said Babak Beheshti, PhD., dean of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences. “I want to thank Assistant Dean Jane Polizzi, M.B.A., and Assistant Provost Tiffani Blake, M.S., M.Ed., for her team’s contributions in helping us attain this milestone achievement.”

Highlights of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences’ efforts include:

Student Clubs and Organizations

• The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student chapter helps female engineers reach their full potential. Through this organization, members have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and network and learn about issues affecting women in engineering and technology fields.
• The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) student chapter is a nonprofit with the mission “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.”
• The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) student chapter empowers Hispanic students at New York Tech by helping them build leadership and STEM skills to advance their academic and, ultimately, professional careers.

Middle School Summer Maker Academy
The weeklong summer program (funded by the VOYA Foundation) aims to teach middle school children from low-income schools throughout New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey how skills in each of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) fields can be utilized to improve the public good and how they are transferrable to many different industries.

Women in Engineering and Technology Day
This daylong event is geared toward high school students to empower women in the engineering and technology fields. Students participate in hands-on engineering, computing science and technology activities, interactive sessions, and sessions led by women industry leaders and engineering students.

“The College of Engineering and Computing Sciences is a community filled with diversity and inclusion, and everyone is welcoming and supportive of you if you ever need help,” said Sanzida Sultana (B.S. ’23), a computer science major. “Through being a member of SWE, I gained soft skills and technical skills in different areas outside the classroom, but I also found a community of students who are supportive of one another’s success.”

The Bronze level recognition demonstrates the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences’ commitment to providing support for underrepresented groups in engineering, quantifiably analyzing and assessing areas related to uplifting underrepresented groups in engineering, implementing programs and initiatives that strengthen the K-12 or community college pipeline and reduce barriers to long-term growth, as well as developing an action plan focused on continuing to improve the student experience for underrepresented groups in engineering.