Minority Affairs Committee Marks a Quarter Century of Progress | AIChE

Minority Affairs Committee Marks a Quarter Century of Progress

February 23, 2015

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) is witnessing the emergence of a more multifaceted and inclusive engineering community, thanks in part to the work of its Minority Affairs Committee. In 2015, the AIChE Minority Affairs Committee is celebrating its accomplishments and the strides made by engineers from minority groups, as the Committee observes the 25th anniversary of its establishment.   

In remarks made during Engineers Week activities (February 22–28), June Wispelwey, Executive Director of AIChE, praised the Committee for its efforts. “AIChE is proud to help foster the important work of our Minority Affairs Committee, which has encouraged the professional development of engineers from underrepresented groups, perhaps most notably younger engineers,” said Wispelwey.

Wispelwey commended the Committee’s recent series of mentoring sessions at AIChE conferences, where experienced engineers provide guidance and coaching to young engineers just entering the profession. She also applauded the Committee’s scholarship program, which has provided more than 300 college scholarships to minority students studying chemical engineering and related sciences.

AIChE’s 2014 Gala — which was devoted to diversity in the engineering workforce, and held last November — helped raise funds to support AIChE’s Minority Scholarship program, along with other outreach activities.

Cheryl I. Teich, AIChE’s 2015 President, also voiced her admiration for the Committee leaders’ dedication and passion “as tireless mentors and advocates.” She added, “During this Black History Month, I’m inspired by the Minority Affairs Committee’s commitment to ensuring that everyone within our organization and within the chemical engineering community has an equal voice in our profession.”

The Committee’s 25th anniversary celebration will conclude with a ceremony at AIChE’s November 2015 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, where plans are in place to host a reception and honor leaders by presenting its Pioneers of Diversity awards. In connection with the anniversary, members of the Committee are collaborating on an archive project consisting of interviews and testimonials that document the Committee’s progress.

Anyone interested in participating in the 25th anniversary activities may email the Committee at MAC25@aiche.org.

Formally launched in 1990, AIChE’s Minority Affairs Committee creates programs that support the professional growth and career development of chemical engineers from communities that have been traditionally underrepresented in the chemical engineering practice. The Committee achieves its goals through special sessions at AIChE conferences, scholarship programs, and a variety of outreach activities. Find out more about the Minority Affairs Committee at http://www.aiche.org/mac.

About AIChE:

AIChE is a professional society of more than 45,000 chemical engineers in 100 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology and chemical plant safety and security. More information about AIChE is available at www.aiche.org.