Diversity

The Freight Mobility Research Institute is committed to broadening participation and expanding the workforce diversity in the transportation sector through its research, education, and workforce development activities. The FMRI is determined to enhance diversity by increasing the participation of women and minority communities in transportation research and careers. Many member institutes have existing programs which provide research, educational and internship opportunities for women and minority communities’ students in transportation. Brief details of some member institutes are included below.

The Geomatics and Transportation Engineering program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has a strong track record in participating and attracting underrepresented new entrants to the transportation field. More than 50% of all graduate students, who are currently enrolled in the program are minority/Hispanic students. The transportation program at FAU has also actively recruited female students with a number of existing institutional diversity and inclusion resources. Additionally, the WTS FAU Student Chapter is a college-based student community focusing on advancing women in transportation through professional development workshops, networking, social events, and much more. Active members, regardless of sex, have the opportunity to work together and benefit each other in their careers.

Diversity and inclusion at Portland State University are celebrated and supported by a central office called Global Diversity and Inclusion, which includes both the Office of Equity & Compliance and the Office of Diversity Advocacy. This has the objective to promote inclusion of historically marginalized communities and those underrepresented in higher education. It serves and empowers student populations whose success, retention, academic success, and graduation are most challenged by socio-historical factors and contemporary inequities.

At the University of Memphis (UofM), more than 35 percent of students enrolled are underrepresented minorities, and approximately 32 percent of STEM majors are African-American, out of a total of 22,000 students. UofM provides numerous support programs for underrepresented minority students as well as first-generation college students through the Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TLSAMP) and the STEM TRIO programs. The University of Memphis is in a position, through its collaboration with the West TN STEM Hub, GEE, and TREC, to increase confidence, interest, and awareness of the wide array of career opportunities in transportation and STEM disciplines, and is ranked 19th in the nation for graduating African-American students.

Hampton University's (HU) roots reach deep into the history of this nation and the African-American experience. HU is a racially diverse university with over 80% students of African-American descent. 30 to 40% of these students are enrolled in STEM-related disciplines such as nursing, sciences, engineering and technology, and pharmacy. HU graduates one of the largest numbers of African-American STEM graduates in certain fields. Several HU students in the past have been involved in a number of transportation-related projects, such as traffic congestion, texting-while-driving, bus driver distraction, transportation infrastructure health monitoring, and highway pollution. These research activities were supported by state, federal, and industry research funds.

The University of Florida was ranked above average in racial diversity. It also has a gender ration, meaning the disparity between men and women on campus, lower than the national average. The institution is also actively dedicated to increasing college access and providing opportunities for all students. The Multicultural & Diversity Affairs (MCDA) has the goal to create cutting-edge programs and opportunities in the areas of multicultural education, self-awareness, advocacy, intercultural understanding and social justice with a commitment toward creating an inclusive, affirming and just campus community.

The Texas A&M University (TAMU) received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. The institution provides leadership and support to the academic and administrative units as they embed diversity and inclusion in academic and institutional excellence. The Office for Diversity works to advance accountability, campus climate, and equity across the university while resisting racism, bias, and discrimination.