EAST LANSING — Yue Qi has been named the first associate dean for inclusion and diversity (ADID) in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University.
Qi, a professor of chemical engineering and materials science at MSU, has been a longtime volunteer for efforts to recruit and retain diverse populations for science, technology, engineering and math fields. She has assisted with Girl Scouts and girls in engineering activities at MSU and other institutions, including “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day,” Spartan Girls in Engineering summer camp, and the Sally Ride Science Festival for Girls.
Engineering Dean Leo Kempel made the announcement June 11, saying Qi will spearhead new diversity and inclusion programs, push existing programs forward, and oversee faculty development activities while coordinating college inclusion and diversity activities with other MSU units.
“She is a well-regarded teacher and currently serves as graduate director for the materials science program,” Kempel said. “She has been active in numerous programs to support women and to enhance multi-cultural awareness in science and engineering at levels ranging from K-12 to other researchers and faculty members.”
Qi said she is honored to be the first ADID and views it as an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported her.
“The MSU College of Engineering is a very diverse community of faculty, staff, and students coming from around 60 countries and every state in the U.S.,” she said. “Our goal is to let everyone feel respected, supported, and given equal opportunity to achieve their dreams.”
Qi said diversity is at the core of innovation for engineers.
“Being ‘diversity and inclusion’ competent allows us to better serve our society,” she said. “The college has made dramatic efforts and progress to increase the number of women and under-represented minority students in engineering, however we are still far from ideal. We need everyone’s help to make our college the top engineering program in the country in its approach to inclusion and diversity,” she added.
Qi received her PhD in materials science, with a minor in computer science, in 2001 from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
She joined Michigan State University in 2013 after 12 years as a research scientist at General Motors. At GM, she developed award-winning multi-scale materials models to connect atomistic simulations with engineering solutions. Since joining MSU, she has led a vigorously funded and highly respected research program on computational materials science, with a focus on batteries and fuel cells.