Get to know the staff who lead the Office of Inclusive Excellence in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS).
Name: Abby Fite
Pronouns: She/her
Title: Director of Inclusive Excellence
Tell us about your role at ECS:
My job is to cultivate belonging for students, staff, and faculty across the breadth of their social identities and ECS positions. Historically, math-intensive STEM disciplines like engineering and computer science have been exclusionary; and engineering and computer science can still feel inhospitable to women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, and working-class people. At OIE, we try to confront and challenge histories of exclusion through intentional assessment (participate in a belonging focus group this fall), programming (apply to join Catalyst Scholars, a new program for first generation ECS students), education (register for our forthcoming inclusive teaching certification program), and leadership structures (ask about our newly established Inclusive Excellence Council).
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
My favorite part of my job is figuring out what a more inclusive and equitable College would look like and then strategizing about exactly how to get there. This aspect of DEIA work is rigorous, creative- and always collaborative. Effective DEIA strategy can’t be developed in isolation, so what I really like about this process is that I get the chance to learn from students, staff, and faculty across the College. If you ever have ideas about how to cultivate belonging at ECS, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me- we might just be able to put them into practice.
Name: Kate Pynn
Title: Director, Student Programs for the Office of Inclusive Excellence
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I am primarily responsible for the oversight of OIE student programming in the College including our Academic Excellence Workshops, Peer Study Sessions, Scholar Programs, and working with our professional student organizations.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
The most rewarding part of working in ECS is observing the growth of our students from the time they initially arrive on campus to the point that they walk across the stage at graduation. Our students are driven to succeed, I truly admire their perseverance and creativity as they engage in their coursework and leadership opportunities.