Hello Pratt Community,

I wanted to take some time to acknowledge that there are several events going on locally and internationally that are impacting members of our Pratt Community. It is during times like these that I highly encourage you to take some time to check in with those around you. This doesn’t have to be a formal meeting. It could just be a short message on Microsoft Teams or taking five minutes out of a class to allow students to write a response to the question of, “How can I help you?” 

Thus, I would like to ask you all the question—how can I help you? Feel free to reach out to me directly for ways that I can assist you or connect you with someone who can. 

Best,

Karis Boyd-Sinkler
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Engineering

Thank you all for attending the 2023 Annual DEIC Update Meeting on Monday. Nan, Quiana and I enjoyed updating the community on the progress we have made toward ensuring Pratt is a welcoming community. I'd also like to specially thank our DEIC committee members and our departmental DEIC leads, as well as you, our community. Your efforts have been instrumental in enabling all we have accomplished thus far.

We invite you to complete a short survey to provide us with feedback regarding our Pratt-wide efforts.

Take the survey »

Duke’s Women’s Center is hosting the 2023 Reproductive Justice Symposium on Wednesday, March 8 in Penn Pavilion. This event will feature numerous student-moderated panels of content-matter experts on reproductive justice topics. The Pratt DEIC Committee will be hosting a panel from 10:30 - 11:15 am during the symposium titled “Engineering Reproductive Justice,” featuring David F. Katz, PhD (BME), Pranam Chatterjee, PhD (BME) and Megan Madonna, PhD (BME). Food will be provide for registered participants.

Find more information and register here »

The Duke International Student Center is welcoming applications for our International Student Awards Programs. The award categories this year are: Undergraduate Academic Exemplar of the Year, Graduate/Professional Academic Exemplar of the Year, Global Impact on Campus &  Global Impact Locally, Volunteer of the Year, Student of the Year, Student Leader of the Year, Graduate/Professional Student Leader of the Year, Student Advocate of the Year, and Student Group of the Year. All nominations are due by March 6.

Submit a nomination here »

Duke’s Center for Muslim Life has put together a Ramadan 101 and Communications Guide for anyone who would like to learn more.

Read the guide here »

The vision of the Maclin Fund is that no eligible Pratt School of Engineering undergraduate should miss out on educational growth because of costs not covered by financial aid. Costs such as attending a conference, flying to an interview, taking a workshop or repairing a computer—to name only a few. The fund was created through the generosity of Valecia Maclin E’92.

Visit pratt.duke.edu for more information and to apply »

The WIN Empowerment Fund was created through the generosity of the Pratt School of Engineering group within the Duke Women's Impact Network (WIN), whose mission is to encourage leadership and philanthropy among women and the friends of WIN. The WIN Empowerment Fund makes direct and positive impacts on the lives of financial-aid-receiving students by helping meet those expenses—such as graduate exam and application fees or professional attire.

Visit pratt.duke.edu for more information and to apply »

Tuesday, March 28 | 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

We will be listening to the 3C (Cultural Competence in Computing) Fellows give 10-minute lightning talks on their experiences implementing an identity-inclusive deliverable (course, module or other activity) at their institution.

Register here »

See more at pratt.duke.edu/about/diversity/resources#events

Saturday, March 4
10:00 am-2:00 pm | Duke Fitzpatrick Center Atrium

Hosted by the Duke Optical Student Chapter

Tuesday, March 14
10:00 am- 11:30 am | Duke University Press Library

Hosted by Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity

Wednesday, March 15
9:00 am-10:30 am | Duke University Press Library

Hosted by Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity

Tuesday, March 20
6:00 pm-8:00 pm | Penn Pavilion

Hosted by the Center for Multicultural Affairs

Tuesday, March 28
4:30 pm-6:00 pm | Zoom

Hosted by the The Alliance for Identity-Inclusive Computing Education (AiiCE)

Recurring Tuesdays
4:00 pm- 5:00 pm | Wellness Center, Room 148

Hosted by the Thompson Writing Program and Duke Student Wellness

Highlighted below is a non-exhaustive list of holidays, celebrations, and events. Would you like to have a holiday listed? Please contact us with your suggestion!

Month-long observance recognizing the history, achievements and contributions of women.

A day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is Embrace Equity. Learn more »

Purim is a Jewish holiday about unity, family and triumphing over adversity. Observances include reading the Book of Esther, exchanging food and drink, and participating in a celebratory meal.

Also known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the changing of the seasons. Celebrations include bonfires, colorful powder and dancing.

In geometry, the Greek letter pi (π) symbolizes the ratio of the circumference of circle to its diameter. The first three digits of pi are 3.14. Mathematician and ECE faculty member Ingrid Daubechies shared her recipe for π-shaped cookies.

A holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. Observances include abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk and communal meals when the sun sets.

Director of Diversity & Inclusion in Engineering

karis.boydsinkler@duke.edu

office hours

Members of the Pratt DEIC committee are listed at pratt.duke.edu/about/diversity/deic