To the members and friends of the College of Engineering,

This month, we invite you to join us here at the UC Santa Barbara College of Engineering (COE) to celebrate Black History Month and the countless remarkable achievements of Black Americans. As engineers and scientists, we know that ensuring access, opportunity, and support for Black students as they pursue engineering degrees; supporting Black engineers during their careers; and including the perspectives of Black people and those of other underrepresented groups are indispensable in our efforts to advance the profession and ensure the best solutions.

Engineering proudly proclaims to be a profession that makes the world better, but that can be wholly true only when it represents and includes all people. We at the COE will continue to build upon previous work to evolve the field in that direction. Doing so requires knowledge, awareness, and education, and I encourage you to learn more about the topic, especially this month. Engineering is a tremendous field, and we want to see it be one that welcomes anyone and creates opportunities for everyone, and where all viewpoints are considered in designing solutions that serve the entirety of the greater good. 

I invite you further to take a few moments to visit the COE Black History Month web pages, where we introduce you to some incredible engineers from many eras, and to visit any of the many other websites that highlight Black history, with all its challenges and achievements. These Americans deserve our attention. They deserve our honor. And they deserve our celebration. Happy Black History Month!

Sincerely,

Tresa Pollock, Interim Dean
UC Santa Barbara College of Engineering