Conference: 2025 Southeast Region Chemical Engineering Chairs Meeting

Project Summary The objectives of the Southeast Region Chemical Engineering Chairs’ meeting are to promote collaboration and innovation by sharing best practices and research advancements, enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within departments, and align educational programs with industry needs. A key focus is on facilitating interactions with minority serving institutions to support minority students in chemical engineering through joint programs, research collaborations, and exchange opportunities. Additionally, the meeting aims to support faculty development through workshops and mentoring, and advance research by identifying funding opportunities for projects that address global challenges. The travel grant will be used entirely to support department chairs or program leaders from minority serving institutions to attend the meeting who otherwise may not have the financial resources. Intellectual Merit: The proposed meeting brings together department chairs from diverse institutions, with a specific emphasis on fostering interactions with minority-serving institutions. By facilitating cross-institutional collaboration, this gathering aims to advance the field of chemical engineering while promoting inclusivity and diversity. Through targeted discussions, we anticipate the development of innovative approaches to address scientific challenges, enhance teaching methods, and create a supportive environment for minority students and faculty. The intellectual merit lies not only in scientific advancements but also in the potential to empower underrepresented groups within the discipline. Broader Impact: The Chemical Engineering Chairs’ meeting aims to have a positive impact beyond scientific advancement. By fostering interactions with minority-serving institutions, we strive to achieve several desired outcomes, including increased participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM and developing a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce. By concentrating on these goals, we seek to create a more inclusive, innovative, and collaborative chemical engineering community.