The William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics is committed to creating and maintaining an educational and professional environment that uplifts the marginalized and supports our community members.

A&A Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We recognize that a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment fosters the understanding, communication, respect, and collaboration that are critical to addressing important questions as students, teachers, professionals, and members of society.

We believe that a strong education can improve the lives of individuals and foster healthy, thriving communities. We believe a high quality university education has the power to help close the gaps that separate communities due to disparities in opportunity and access. We further recognize that many disparities have been unjustly shaped by factors such as income, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, physical or learning differences, national origin, and faith.

To this end, we are fully committed to engaging faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds, specifically including individuals from historically underrepresented groups in aerospace engineering.

• We promote excellence in education, research and service.
• We are committed to a welcoming culture that actively promotes the academic, professional and personal well-being of all members of the community regardless of individual background.
• We apply standards and expectations equitably to all members of our community.
• We provide needed resources and support to all learners.
• We practice respectful, ethical conduct at all times.
• We practice the highest standards of safety in all activities and spaces.
• We recognize, respect, and defend the dignity of all members of our community.
• We remove barriers and practice behaviors to ensure the academic, professional, and personal well-being of all members of our community.

In pursuit of these values and goals, our department supports and participates in numerous diversity efforts that are directly informed by the recommendations put forward by the National Science Board, including recommendations found in the following:

• Preparing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators: Identifying & Developing our Nation's Human Capital (2010)
• Broadening Participation in Science & Engineering Faculty (2003)

We also support the many diversity programs in the College of Engineering and the University generally and we proudly celebrate our students who actively engage in these activities as well.

A&A's DEI Initiatives

• DEI Committe: A&A's DEI Committee meets bi-monthly to discuss initiatives and communications for the A&A community to deepen their understanding of key issues to advance the department's collective understanding of and commitment to DEI. Contact: aa-dei@uw.edu
• Awake in Aero: A&A students lead regular discussions during the academic year to reflect on specific topics. Recent topics include Violence against the AAPI Community, an Examination of the Model Minority Myth, Inequities in Public School Opportunities for K-12 Students, and Understanding the Experiences of First Generation College Students. Check our homepage calendar for upcoming dates. Contact: awake-in-aero@uw.edu
• WA Space Grant: A&A is now home to NASA's Washington State's Space Grant Consortium with programs to expand STEM pathways to students from underrepresented communities. Research fellowships, scholarships, and activities participating in NASA's Artemis Challenges, CubeSats, and more are available.

College of Engineering Diversity & Student Programs »

The College of Engineering is home to multiple programs that provide financial, social, academic and cultural support to engineering students with an emphasis on reaching populations who are historically underrepresented in engineering.

Student Organizations in Science & Engineering »

• Women in Aerospace at the University of Washington

The College of Engineering in general is also home to a wide variety of student clubs and organizations, including several focused on promoting diversity within the STEM fields, such as:

• American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Society of Advancing Chicanos and Native Americans in Sciences (SACNAS)
• Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
• Society of Women Engineers at UW

Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity »

The University of Washington Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D) works to increase diversity on campus and enrich the collegiate experience of all UW students, faculty and staff.

GO-MAP »

Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP) is at the heart of the Graduate School’s commitment to expanding graduate education to underrepresented minority (URM) communities.

Disability Resources for Students »

Disability Resources for Students (DRS) is dedicated to ensuring access, accommodations, and inclusion for all students with temporary or permanent physical, health, learning, sensory or psychological differences.

Q Center »

The University of Washington Q Center is a primarily student-run resource center dedicated to serving anyone with or without a gender or sexuality – UW students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members.

Scholarships, Fellowships, & Funding »

There are many fellowships and scholarships specifically created to support access, persistence, and success for underrepresented communities in engineering.