Achieving Diversity and Equity
ASCE Policy Statement 417
Adopted by the Board of Direction on October 17, 1999.
Policy
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports and encourages the equitable opportunity for participation of all people within the civil engineering profession without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or physical challenges. The Society will promulgate and implement programs designed to enhance opportunities to participate in the profession.
Issue
ASCE and the profession of civil engineering must provide all members of society the opportunity to fully participate in civil engineering. Developing and continuing outreach programs and role models and encouraging professional achievement are means which will enhance opportunities for all members.
Diversity is important to the future of the civil engineering profession because: population trends indicate workforce demographics are changing and the future workforce pool will be increasingly female and nonwhite; the globalization of the industry increasingly encompasses professionals with diverse backgrounds from around the world on civil engineering projects; and the number of women and people of color currently in the profession is declining.
Women and people of color have historically been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering. In addition, they have faced challenges to advancement, and have not been accorded due credit for contributions to technical and administrative advances to the profession. Progress has been made over the last several decades on acknowledging and addressing these matters but there is still work to be done.
Rationale
The well-being of our global society will rely greatly on the civil engineering profession being able to provide the technical innovation and leadership necessary to meet the challenges of a changing world. The ability of the profession to meet these challenges will require the full participation of all members of society. ASCE recognizes the critical importance of a diverse engineering-based workforce.
ASCE's advocacy for the development of the skills and talents of all will become an increasingly important factor in the technical vitality and global economy in the 21st Century.
Members
Jefferson M. Hilliard, PE, Hon.M.ASCE (Chair)
Kim Parker Brown, P.E., M.ASCE (Vice Chair)
David Collins, P.E., M.ASCE
Patricia Frayre, E.I.T., M.ASCE
Darlene Gee
Crespin (Cris) Guzman, P.E., M.ASCE
Erika E. Gomez, M.ASCE
Michael Kennedy (Mike)
Dwayne T. James, P.E., M.ASCE
Dennis D. Truax (Board Contact)
Robin McGill, P.E., M.ASCE
Beatrice Hunt
Kristina Swallow
Corresponding Members
Sue Pederson-Stahl, P.E.
Ray Darvish, P.E., M.ASCE
Erin Fletcher
Jesse K. Smith, P.E.
Staff Contact
Norma Bartrum
Senior Manager
Diversity Activities
The American Society of Civil Engineers
1015 15th Street, NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 800-548-2723 ext 5130
nbartrum@asce.org
