Founded in 1990, the Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs) Program was created to provide an environment of inclusion for underrepresented engineering students by embracing and cultivating their uniqueness to impact the engineering community.
The mission of the IDEAS program is to foster equity, diversity and inclusion by increasing awareness of the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion; creating educational and career related opportunities; and boosting academic success.
The IDEAs Program at The University of Akron focuses on:
“I love being an IDEAs ambassador because it is so rewarding to help students succeed in their classes.”
— Alexander McGinnis, majoring in electrical engineering
Mechanical engineering student, Bamidele Oluwadare, built his UA community through the IDEAs program.
Faculty lift up students, like mechanical engineering major Melissa Cardew, and help them achieve their academic goals.
UA scholarships provide tremendous relief for Dennis Williams, mechanical engineering student and member of the IDEAs program.
Heidi Cressman
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
hec9@uakron.edu
330-972-7701