JEDI Means Taking Action
8/23/24

We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse community—one that will enrich engineering education and empower all of us to achieve our goals.

JEDI Means Equitable Access and Opportunity
8/23/24

Our principle is that all our of students, staff and faculty have a right to an educational experience free from social barriers.

JEDI Means Being Transparent
8/23/24

We strive to be transparent in communicating our progress, as well as where we need to improve.

JEDI Means Redesigning Our Processes
8/23/24

We are working to remove structural and individual biases in our hiring, admissions, retention and support services.

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Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse community—one that will enrich engineering education and empower our students, faculty, and staff to achieve their goals.

Here's how we're breaking down barriers

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in SEAS

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is committed to the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) and takes actionable steps toward building a welcoming community of students, faculty and staff where all feel supported and empowered.

Friends celebrate graduation at the IDC Lavender reception.

Student Initiatives

A team in mechanical engineering recently received an NSF Grant for their project involving on a human-robot collaboration for the disassembly of electronic waste such as hard disk drives. The team is lead by Minghui Zheng, Sara Behdad and Xiao Liang, and includes a number of students. They were photographed in November 2019 in Jarvis Hall.\r\rPhotographer: Douglas Levere.

Faculty & Staff Initiatives

People dancing in open room.

Resources & Support

The People Pushing us Forward

Our Students and Alumni
"What I enjoy the most about my job is knowing that my contributions keep the public safe.”
12/14/22

Jarlene Ninive
BS '18, Civil Engineering

"What helped me most was the hands-on learning. Working with teams for competitions like Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge and Seismic Design."
2/4/21

Alvaro Giron

BS '13, civil engineering

"Working with Prof. Crassidis was a big plus. John is a well recognized researcher and highly respected in the field. Working with him allowed me to perform on the frontier of research problems that put me in a good position when I graduated.”
2/4/21

Richard Linares

PhD ’14, MS ’10, BS ’09, mechanical and aerospace engineering

"The NSBE career fairs were the largest on campus. They provided me with exposure to huge corporations and job opportunities that wouldn’t have been available otherwise."
11/21/22

Brian Dillard

BS ’92, industrial and systems engineering

"I really enjoy the collaborative efforts of different engineering disciplines here at UB. There is an openness and willingness to tackle complex problems by harnessing the expertise of different departments."
5/17/24

Ogechi Ogoke
Chemical and biological engineering student

"I live for the moments when I can honestly say “I never would have thought to do it that way.” Unlocking a whole new way of thinking encapsulates the benefit of working and living in a diverse community."
12/9/21

Jahmil Campbell

BS '07, MS '10, electrical engineering  

“I chose UB because it is a top SUNY school with a great engineering program and a lot of diversity.”
1/2/24

Esther Saula
Civil engineering student

"It has always been easy to find study groups and like-minded individuals within the UB engineering community." 
5/17/24

Boluwatife Ibitayo

Biomedical engineering student

"I think I received a great education at UB. I see it all the time in practice – that UB graduates are very well prepared to succeed as engineers and in their careers."
5/20/21

Jonathan Watts

BS '00 industrial and BS '03 civil engineering

"I am particularly passionate about effecting change within the prosthetics field by getting better quality prosthetics for amputees."
4/17/23

Marie Ettien
Biomedical engineering student

"My favorite part about the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers is the amount of career opportunities that come with being involved with the club."
1/26/26

Sebastian Cisneros
Computer science student

“Remember leadership isn’t just being out in front but watching for those who are behind you and showing them the way.”
5/20/21

Raynard Woods
BS'93, MS'96, electrical engineering

"To the aspiring Black engineers, there is more than enough space in the industry for your knowledge and creativity and your input is needed, wanted and valued."
4/17/23

Kendra Claiborne
BS'15, computer science

“As a minority student you face many challenges, but you can succeed by staying motivated and working hard. Every step you take every day makes a difference in your life.”
1/26/26

Emmanuel Nsengiyumva
BS'16, MS'18, chemical engineering

“I’m going to put women on the moon, and then I’m going to get a tattoo of a Rocketship on my wrist!”
12/14/22

Andrea Martinez
BS '14, MS '16, electrical engineering

“Engineering taught me great problem solving skills and how to examine processes for improvement.”
1/26/26

Annika Samuels
BS '03, industrial engineering; MBA '06

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Connect With Us

Request Support
Give to SEAS JEDI Fund

SEAS community members, including faculty, staff, students, and advisory board members, who develop and lead JEDI-related activities that enhance our collective sense of identity, belonging, agency, and purpose.

Executive Committee

Kristen Moore - Committee Chair
 Professor, Department of AI & Society

Rajan Batta
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Recognition, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Kevin Burke
 Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Unit Diversity Officer, Department of Electrical Engineering

Kathryn Doran
Assistant Dean for Academic Services, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Jada Mowatt
 PhD Student, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Shannon Phillips
Director of Operations, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Jennifer L. Zirnheld
 Director of First-Year Engineering Program, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Ex Officio Members

Ashlee Ford Versypt
Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Lukasz Ziarek
 Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences