The EECS delegation at the 2019 Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing
EECS recognizes that a diverse student body is vital to producing future leaders, creating innovative technologies, and serving society. Our faculty and students collaborate on a range of programs, from undergraduate and graduate outreach to academic support and pre-professional advancement. In November 2019, the Hopper-Dean Foundation awarded the EECS Department $2 million to support computer science diversity initiatives.
Learn about the $2M grant
Outreach and Retention
Creative technologies and an enhanced academic experience for our current and future students arise from exposure to a diverse array of perspectives. We have a dedicated budget to support programs and initiatives that foster diversity and inclusion in our department. In order for us to meet our mission we emphasize an inclusive environment that respects all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, identity, socioeconomic status, and country of origin. Audrey Sillers, our EECS Director for Student Diversity works closely with staff in the EECS Center for Student Affairs (CSA). Professors Boubacar Kanté and Armando Fox serve as our Graduate Diversity Officers, and Professors Josh Hug and Robert Pilawa-Podgurski serve as our Faculty Equity Advisers.
EECS sponsors a number of undergraduate research and support programs geared to underrepresented groups. Our two affiliated colleges also offer special graduate recruitment programs.
Learn About Undergrad Diversity
Our faculty and students collaborate on a range of activities to engage with students from kindergarten through high school.
Learn About Outreach
Groundbreaking Achievement
Our faculty, staff, and alumni have consistently won praise for their efforts to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering.
Read About Us in the News
A Message to Prospective Women Students
Messages from some of our women faculty and students, and some resources available to support women in EE and CS.
Hear From Women in EECS
Undergraduate Student Organizations
Association of Women in EE & CS (AWE) a supportive community that exposes women students to opportunities in industry and research
Black Engineering and Science Students Association (BESSA) Berkeley Student Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers
CS KickStart(CSK) A one week introductory class in computer science designed for incoming freshman women at UC Berkeley.
Hispanic Engineers and Scientists (HES) Berkeley Student Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Society of Women Engineers Berkeley Student Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics oSTEM is the Berkeley chapter of the national OSTEM organization.
Graduate Student Organizations
Women in Computer Science and Engineering (WICSE) Graduate women's group in EECS, meets each Friday at noon.
Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students (BGESS) Graduate group, founded in 1987 by a group of African American graduate students enrolled at Berkeley. BGESS has dedicated itself to the nurturing of academic and social support systems for students of African Heritage, whose contributions to the fields of Graduate Engineering and Physical Sciences have been historically underrepresented.
Latino Association of Graduate Students in Engineering and Science LAGSES provides a cohesive group for incoming and continuing Latino/a graduate students.
Queers in Computer Science and Engineering (QICSE) QICSE is the organization of queer graduate students in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley. QICSE is a social group that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, or queer grad students and their allies within the EECS department by offering them opportunities to connect to each other and with the broader campus community.
National Engineering Diversity Efforts
Berkeley Engineering & Science Students - National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Society of Hispanic Engineers and Scientists (HES)
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Society of Women in Engineering (SWE)
Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research
Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing
Berkeley FLIPs for Diversity
Part of what makes Berkeley special is the confluence of its diverse urban setting, large size, and a campus culture that fosters and celebrates diversity. The university just announced its membership in the NSF-funded FLIP Alliance (Diversifying Future Leadership In the Professoriate), which aims to quickly and radically change the demographic diversity of the CS professoriate by sharing best practices for recruiting, retaining, and developing URM grad students at member institutions.
Learn about the FLIPalliance
WICSE 40th Anniversary
The UC Berkeley Women in Computer Science and Engineering (WICSE) 40th Anniversary Reunion, which celebrates 40 years of women in technology at Berkeley, will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Join us for a day packed full of reunions, enlightening talks, and networking opportunities!
Learn More About WICSE's 40th