The Role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Aerospace Engineering Panel Event

Last week, Michigan Aerospace hosted its first 110th anniversary event, “The Role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Aerospace Engineering,” featuring professors and students discussing DEI’s impact within the department and throughout its history. During the panel discussion, Professors Max Li and Daniel Inman, alongside students Grace Zoppi and Zoe Pizzuti, highlighted the importance and benefits of DEI-related initiatives. Together, the panelists and attendees showcased how a focus on DEI has the ability to positively affect the industry’s future and the community within it. 

“It was an insightful and well-attended event. I particularly liked how all of the questions were cast from a perspective of DEI in the past, present and future, and also some audience questions also addressed specific minoritized groups such as communities with physical disabilities,” commented Professor Li after the event concluded. “The event energized me to think about how we want the department to be remembered in terms of its contributions to DEI within the aerospace industry and more broadly in the next 10 to 20 years and beyond.”

The panelists covered topics during the discussion highlighting how diversity, equity and inclusion were or were not present during the department’s formative years. Professor Inman provided insights regarding the history of DEI within the department and how it has evolved over time.

Inman stated during the event, “The 60’s brought equal rights, but DEI did not start until 2016. The values at the time were focused on credentials and performance. As a result, we had a minimum level of diversity, but still produced some awesome and diverse graduates.”

Professor Inman continued by highlighting a few of the department’s notable alumni including Elsie MacGill, the first female aircraft designer and the first woman to receive an MS in Aeronautical Engineering 1929; as well as Moon Chen, a Chinese American who graduated from U-M 1932 and served as an officer in the 14th Air Force (Flying Tigers) during World War II. Chen’s son then went on to graduate from the department in 1961 and was the first Chinese-American to wear the two-star rank of major general in the U.S. Army.

Looking ahead, discussions about where and how the role of DEI will shape and evolve the department’s future became a large part of the event. Panelists highlighted that the work being done at the university level will influence the future of the industry and those going from an academic career into the field will benefit from conversations surrounding equity and inclusion. 

Following the panelists’ open conversation, a Q&A session brought thoughtful questions surrounding their views on the work currently underway within the department, emphasizing the desire to encourage women and minorities to feel empowered. Attendees, as well as panelists, came together during the discussion with a focus on how these efforts will affect the students taking part in the U-M Aerospace Engineering program for years to come. 

“I am excited to see how DEI in the department evolves over the next 5-10 years, and I think regular conversations like this are incredibly important to pushing informed and useful DEI efforts forward,” commented panelist Zoe Pizzuti after the event.

As a department, Michigan Aerospace is proud to celebrate an emphasis on DEI related efforts during the 110th anniversary celebratory events. It is with the help of the community that we strive to continue work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment. Through open conversations and dialogue we look forward to the future and the next 100 years of advancing aerospace engineering.