About Us Message

Message from the Associate Dean of Diversity

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the School of Engineering and introduce you to the Engineering Office of Diversity!

The Engineering Office of Diversity (EOD) creates a bridge for the recruitment, retention, and graduation of students that contribute to our diversity by promoting a positive multicultural environment that empowers traditionally underrepresented engineering students for excellence in engineering education. In 2001, the Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP) was created with two major components: the PECAP- Pre-College Component (INVESTING NOW and CARE), and the PECAP- College Component, also known as the Pitt EXCEL Program, which houses the Summer Engineering Academy (SEA), the Mentoring Program for Excellence in Engineering (MPE2) and the Summer Research Internship (SRI).

The mission of PECAP- Pre-College is to expose high achieving students from underrepresented groups to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers in order to prepare them for enrollment at the University of Pittsburgh. At matriculation, there is a continuous transition of the students from Pre-College to the EXCEL program. The primary mission of the pitt EXCEL Program is to provide support services and a positive community which increases the enrollment, retention and graduation of women and other underrepresented student groups in the School of Engineering. Pitt EXCEL focuses on excellence and equity in engineering education. 

There are many benefits of studying engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. The EOD is unique in how it provides comprehensive programs, support and services to underrepresented students from pre-college through graduate school "under one roof" in a community of inclusiveness. Some of the School of Engineering's diversity efforts have been in place for more than 30 years, while others have developed more recently. EOD is the Recipient of 2003 Chancellor Affirmative Action Award for "instituting a cutting-edge diversity vision that carried the School into the new millennium." 

You can find more information on our programs on this website, and please take a closer look at what we have to offer and get a first hand account of the caring environment the school fosters. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you in future as a student, graduate summer intern, faculty member, staff member or industrial collaborator.

 

Sylvanus N. Wosu, PhD
Associate Dean of Diversity Affairs
Director of Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP)