Community
Our Community
At the Division of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS), we believe that the best ideas, decisions, and outcomes emerge from diverse groups of people working and collaborating together.
EAS is dedicated to creating access and opportunities for individuals—whether students, faculty, postdoctoral scholars, or staff—who bring unique academic journeys to science and engineering. We are committed to supporting the success of all members of our community, including first-generation, low-income students and scholars with non-traditional paths into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Caltech is a relatively small, intense university organized into six academic divisions. EAS is among the largest, with well over half of the undergraduates, a third of the graduate students, and one-quarter of the faculty. EAS is organized into seven departments – each with dedicated option managers, the main point of contact for students beyond their advisor. Joining the faculty and students are postdocs, visitors of all stripes, staff, and volunteers – each of us contributing in myriad ways toward creating and sustaining a community where each is person is valued and can find the resources they need to thrive.
Our community is supported by an interconnected framework of educational, research, and social activities – and here our small size means that we can make new connections easily. On the research side, interdisciplinary projects are the norm, so students will meet colleagues from other groups quite easily. Every EAS department hosts teas, seminars, and seasonal events – don't miss these! Social activities are also sponsored by many campus groups, including the Caltech undergraduate houses, campus clubs, the Caltech Postdoctoral Association, the Center for Inclusion and Diversity, the Caltech Y, Caltech Athletics, Theatre Arts at Caltech (TACIT), just to name a few. We also have fantastic partners including the Student Wellness Services group and the Staff and Faculty Consultation Center.
There are also groups that come together on a project basis outside the classroom – for instance, the undergraduate LATTICE team which competed in NASA's Big Idea Challenge.
We (re)create our community every day – it is evolving and vibrant – join us!
The Spirit of EAS
EAS Standing Committee on Community and Student Success (CCSS)
The Committee supports the Division's mission to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for everyone in EAS by:
- Acting as a sounding board for EAS efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our academic, research, and work environments.
- Working with the Director of Student Success to provide feedback, new ideas, pathway programs for entry into Caltech and collaborative links across Caltech.
- Serving as an "effort amplifier" to maximize the positive impact of initiatives by enhancing awareness, promoting, and supporting activities.
- Supporting the New Horizons Fund and the New Horizons Awards by encouraging contributions and nominations, and by helping evaluate proposals and awards.
- Regularly reviewing data and providing feedback on EAS demographics, student success (retention, graduation, degree completion), division wide surveys, and other methods to gauge the working and educational environment.
- Building relationships with similar committees across other divisions, as well as Institute wide programs through the President's Diversity Council, the Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity, and Equity and Title IX office.
- Considering other issues as they arise.
Committee members:
- Zachary Ahmad (graduate student, Materials Science Option)
- Mars Arechavala (undergraduate student, Mechanical Engineering Option)
- Aisulu Aitbekova (KNI Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate in Applied Physics and Materials Science)
- Joanna Austin (Professor, Aerospace)
- Adam Blank (faculty, teaching assistant professor in Computing and Mathematical Sciences)
- Jennifer Blankenship (options manager for Applied Physics and Materials Science)
- Jenni Campbell (options manager for Mechanical and Civil Engineering)
- Andrei Faraon (William L. Valentine Professor of Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering)
- Yazmin Gonzalez (director, EAS Programs for Student Success)
- Melany Hunt (Dotty and Dick Hayman Professor of Mechanical Engineering; EAS DEI Committee Chair)
- Austin Minnich (Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics; EAS Division Deputy Chair)
- Frida Moreno (undergraduate student, Computer Science Option)
- Tiffany Kimoto (executive director, Kavli Nanoscience Institute)
- Theresa Tsaggaris (graduate student, Mechanical Engineering Option)
EAS New Horizons Award
The New Horizons Award is presented annually by the Division of Engineering and Applied Science to recognize individuals within EAS who actively contribute to our goal of fostering an engineering community where all members can thrive and reach their full potential. This award is open to current EAS students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty. Eligible activities may include demonstrated leadership, advocacy and community organizing, development of resources to enhance community success, and engagement in engineering outreach to local schools or communities. Learn more about the New Horizons Awards.