2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Impact and Lessons Learned: Student Day at ETSU Equity and Inclusion Conference

Presented at Equity, Culture & Social Justice in Education Division (EQUITY) Technical Session 13

Addressing educational inequities has been the focus of institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion operations for many years. However, the recent crisis—the COVID-19 pandemic, the systemic racism and racial inequities in this country —has prompted a clarion call for more effective strategies that will result in more equitable outcomes for vulnerable student populations on our campuses. By promoting the importance of a diverse campus, adopting an equity-minded approach to leadership, and facilitating greater inclusion, institutional leaders can ensure that our institutions deliver on the nation’s promise of higher education for all students. The Office of Equity and Inclusion at X University organize and host an annual equity and inclusion conference. The main goal of the conference is to engage campus community in meaningful conversation around topics of equity and inclusion. After moving the conference to a fully online virtual platform in 2021, due to the pandemic, (which exposed inequities among our students, faculty, and employees and illuminated the importance of addressing the different needs across these populations), a silver lining arose that shed light into how to address such inequities from the students’ perspectives. For the past two years X University’s Equity and Inclusion conference has dedicated the third and final day of conference proceedings to students, as a student-track day for student-focused conference proceedings. Sessions offered during the student-track day are full of student focused activities, topics and needs made available to all students, both locally and abroad. In fact, each session of the student-track day involved participatory student input throughout the planning process. Some of the topics discussed in the 2022 student-track conference proceedings were a sense of belonging; students mental health; full disclosure: speaking your truth student panel; inclusive student leadership and resilience. The student day provided students a platform to discuss equity and inclusion issues that impact them every day and develop and/or increase their skill set related to equity and inclusion contexts. The day also helped them increase their awareness, recognize the benefits of a diverse organization and community and the importance of equitable and inclusive practices, policies, and procedures. This paper will describe the planning of the student day, lessons learned, and student assessment of student day.

Authors

Dr. Mohammad Moin Uddin, P.E. East Tennessee State University [biography]

Dr. Mohammad Moin Uddin is a Professor in the Department of Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Surveying at East Tennessee State University. He holds a joint appointment as a Professor of Engineering and Engineering Technology Program and as a Graduate Faculty member of the Graduate School. He also serves as the Director for the TTU-ETSU Joint Engineering Program. Dr. Uddin is an exemplary engineering technology educator. He has made significant contributions to engineering technology education and the whole profession through excellence in teaching, research and service to the engineering technology community. Dr. Uddin is a proponent of project-based learning and developed innovative teaching strategies to engage his students in solving real-world problems and prepare them with skills and knowledge that industry requires.
Dr. Uddin is active in research and scholarship. He has been awarded grants from National Science Foundation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Board of Regents, DENSO and ASEE (ETD mini-grants) and several other organizations for a total of more than $2 million. His current research interest focuses on risk-based estimation in construction decision making, sustainable design and construction, applications of machine learning and AI in construction, and engineering education. Dr. Uddin is also dedicated to serve his profession and the community. He is a member of ASEE, ASCE, TRB and CRC, and serves as the VP of the ASCE Tennessee Section and Secretary for the ASCE Holston branch. Dr. Uddin is active with ASEE engineering technology division and served as ETD program chair for CIEC in 2017 and 2018. Dr. Uddin also served as the Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Engineering Technology from 2019 to 2021. Dr. Uddin received outstanding researcher award, outstanding service award and sustainability leadership award from his college.
Dr. Keith V. Johnson East Tennessee State University [biography]

Dr. Johnson is chair of the Department of Engineering Technology, Surveying and Digital Media at East Tennessee State University. He has been active with the American Society of Engineering Education for over 20 years. During that time, he have served in
Dr. M. Leah Adinolfi East Tennessee State University [biography]

Leah Adinolfi is the Dean of Student Engagement and Director of Assessment in the Division of Student Life and Enrollment at East Tennessee State
University (ETSU). She also serves as Adjunct Faculty in the Departments of Counseling and Human Services and Educational Leadership & Policy
Analysis with ETSU’s Clemmer College. Dr. Adinolfi has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and non-profit organizations managing
projects, developing resources and mobilizing young people and community volunteers. Since earning her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and
Policy at Vanderbilt University in 2020, her research has continued to explore factors influencing college student persistence and success, with particular
focus on the effects of relationships with faculty, staff and peers for diverse student populations and campus environments.
Deidra A. Rogers East Tennessee State University

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