IDEA Student Center

The Center for Inclusion, Diversity, Excellence, and Advancement (IDEA Student Center) at the Jacobs School of Engineering is committed to fostering a supportive environment for diverse engineering students at University of California, San Diego.  We are a student-centered office that serves pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate engineering students.  Our goal is to promote participation of underrepresented minorities, including economically and socially disadvantaged students, in the Jacobs School research program and diversity related research as a means of enhancing academic performance and increasing retention.

The "IDEA Scholars Program"  captures the key themes and goals of the IDEA Center itself.  Working with diverse students who are in the first two years of their undergraduate studies, the IDEA Scholars Program provides need-based students with access to a wonderful breadth of opportunities: 

  • Priority Access to Scholarships and Internships
  • Mentoring from Jacobs School Alumni and Faculty
  • Personal, Professional and Leadership Development Opportunities
  • Faculty Undergraduate Research Opportunities
  • Networking Opportunities with Companies

Ultimately, our efforts are grounded in a commitment to ensure that UCSD engineering students reflect the richly diverse global community and that we foster an environment that prepares all engineering students to be fully engaged, technological leaders and well-rounded citizens. Ultimately, we strive to foster the growth of diverse innovative technology leaders for today's global society.

The Center is a hub for student engagement, academic enrichment, personal/professional development, leadership and community involvement, and a respectful learning environment for all.

We wish to increase the number of African American, Hispanic, Native American, and female students that apply to and enroll in the Jacobs School of Engineering. The IDEA Center aims to add value to students' individual knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes.

The IDEA Center provides students with services such as visiting scholars, lecture series, summer volunteer programs that consist of hands-on research for Ugrads with UCSD faculty.

The structure of our IDEA Center is summed up in three pillars: Outreach and Recruitment, Retention, and Research.

The IDEA Center promotes Inclusion, Diversity, Excellence, and Advancement among undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff across the Jacobs School of Engineering.

We increase K-14 student knowledge and awareness of engineering through holistic outreach programs that incorporate schools, families, and communities.

We also leverage our undergraduate/graduate engineering student preparedness for academia/industry through the engagement of research, leadership, and experiential learning opportunities.

UCSD Diversity Award

Diversity Award for their efforts to promote diversity and equity