NSF INCLUDES Engineering PLUS Alliance
Western
Regional Hub
Empowering leaders in engineering through strategic partnerships to revolutionize STEM education.
Our Shared Vision: Increase the growth rate in the number of BIPOC and women obtaining undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees through systemic, transformative, and sustainable change.
We are a collective of like-minded institutions with a shared vision coming together to establish a theory of change.
UCSC will lead regional hub of NSF Engineering Plus Alliance
UCSC’s Baskin Engineering will guide a network of community colleges and universities to share resources, experiences and best practices, serving underrepresented students, faculty and staff working in engineering and IT.
What is Engineering PLUS?
The Engineering PLUS Alliance, funded at $10 million over 5 years, is one of 17 National Science Foundation (NSF) INCLUDES Alliances of higher education institutions and the only Alliance focused on engineering. NSF INCLUDES is a nationwide initiative designed to build U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by increasing the participation of individuals from groups that have been historically underrepresented in STEM.
Regional Hubs
Regional institutions that become Hub members will learn about the high-impact practices that are successful in increasing diversity in engineering education. The Hubs will be the engines of national institutional change. Regional Hub members will develop ideas, share best practices, promote cross-campus student engagement in research and industrial learning, and provide data to inform state and local governments of policies to advance the country’s production of a more diverse engineering workforce.
Western Regional Hub Partners
More News
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Inaugural meeting of the NSF PLUS Alliance Western Regional Hub sets path for diversity and success in engineering
The UC Santa Cruz Baskin School of Engineering hosted the inaugural meeting of the NSF PLUS Alliance Western Regional Hub at the 2024 Society for Advancement of Chicanos & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conference in Phoenix, Arizona. This gathering brought together representatives from 13 institutions—spanning research labs, community colleges, and four-year universities—all committed to…
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UCSC Engineering PLUS Team
Marcella Gomez, PI
Marcella Gomez is an associate professor in Applied Mathematics at Baskin Engineering and the inaugural Associate Dean for DEI. A first-generation college graduate and longtime advocate for the advancement of BIPOC students in STEM fields, she is passionate about improving pathways in engineering for women and historically excluded groups through various campus initiatives and leadership roles.
Ricardo Sanfelice, Co-PI
Ricardo Sanfelice is a professor and chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baskin Engineering. He directs multiple research initiatives and serves as the faculty advisor to the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) chapter on campus, and puts a strong focus on engaging industry partners and recruiting students of underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
Pascale Garaud, Co-PI
Pascale Garaud is a professor and Chair of Applied Mathematics at UCSC. She leads an NSF grant supporting financially disadvantages students and is tasked with identifying collaborations to expand the Western Regional Hub’s work.
Alvaro Cardenas, Co-PI
Alvaro Cardenas is an Associate Professor in Computer Science and Engineering at Baskin Engineering. He’s active in diversity initiatives and K-12 computer science education, and also oversees collaborations with CAMP/LSAMP, CAHSI, and Cal-Bridge.
Sri Kurniawan, Co-PI
Sri Kurniawan is a professor and graduate director of Computational Media at UCSC. She leads several initiatives promoting diversity in tech, including the Academies’ Action Collaborative on Trajectories of Women of Color in Tech, and oversees efforts to create an inclusive Advisory Committee for the Western Regional Hub.
Cindy Ziker, Ph. D., M.P.H., Senior Personnel
Cindy Ziker is an Education Grants and Evaluation Specialist at UCSC, who specializes in developing inclusive mentoring models for NSF INCLUDES initiatives with a focus on broadening participation in engineering. She also oversees sustainability efforts for the project and consults on various aspects of communications and operations.
Abigail Kaun, Ph.D., Senior Personnel
Abigail Kaun is the Executive Adviser to the dean at Baskin Engineering. With a background in linguistics and extensive experience in academic administration, she oversees strategic initiatives and planning for convenings to ensure successful outcomes.
Erin Busch, Senior Personnel
Erin Busch is a Career Engagement Specialist at UCSC, focusing on helping students achieve their professional goals and advising them on workplace preparation. She works closely with the tech industry and alumni to create professional development opportunities, and has put special emphasis on empowering students from historically excluded backgrounds in STEM fields.
Nandini Bhattacharya, Senior Personnel
Nandini Bhattacharya is the Associate Director of Teaching at UCSC’s Teaching and Learning Center. She leads Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) grants focusing on inclusive pedagogy and curriculum development, supports faculty in course design, and promotes professional development opportunities for educators.
Marina Ramon, Senior Personnel
Dr. Marina Ramon is the Director of the Genomics Institute Office of Diversity at Baskin Engineering. She brings a wealth of experience across the sciences, industry, academia, and the government sector to the Western Regional Hub. She is a skilled program manager, strategic planner, and passionate advocate for equity in STEM.
Richard Raygoza, Main Office Staff
Richard Raygoza provides back office support to the Western Regional Hub efforts, as well as assistance with purchasing, strategizing, booking, and general communications.
Working groups
Climate and Culture
Graduate Student Success
Undergraduate Student Success
Workforce Development
