Dayton Engineer

UD School of Engineering Named NACME Institution, A Seven Year Action Plan for Diversity in Engineering
By Alexandria Ford '26
The University of Dayton School of Engineering is in its first year as a partner institution with the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), a leading provider of scholarships and resources for underrepresented minorities pursuing engineering and computer science degrees.
Through a seven-year partnership, NACME will provide financial support to UD, which is committed to offering academic, professional and personal development opportunities for minority engineering students. NACME, which has been supporting minority students for 50 years, aims to help meet the growing demand for diverse talent in engineering and technology fields. As part of this collaboration, UD will also receive a NACME grant to fund scholarships for eligible students.
The Multi-Ethnic Engineers Program (MEP) served as the catalyst for UD's consideration as a NACME institution.
“MEP is the vehicle we can expand what we do to fulfill our agreement to NACME and fulfill our own mission as an institution,” said Dr. Gerica Brown, assistant dean for inclusive excellence strategic initiatives in the School of Engineering.
MEP supports the success of undergraduate students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds in engineering. The program fosters a sense of belonging, builds engineering identity and promotes self-efficacy through experiential learning, vocational guidance and personal and professional development.
NACME resources are available to all students at UD, with full access granted regardless of NACME scholar status. While the university has previously used NACME data to support MEP, becoming a full NACME institution is a significant milestone. NACME evaluates whether a university has the infrastructure to support the success and persistence of multi-ethnic engineers, and UD's commitment to strengthening this infrastructure helped position us for this designation.
As a NACME partner, UD is now accountable for leveraging these resources to enhance student retention, graduation rates and address equity gaps in educational outcomes across diverse student populations.
Engineering students were selected to participate in a NACME-sponsored externship with Procter & Gamble (P&G) this past summer, offering incoming first- and second-year students valuable professional experience and industry insight. The program covered all expenses and offered students the chance to shadow P&G professionals at their headquarters in Cincinnati. Participants gained insight into various departments, including research and development, and engaged with executives and peers from other colleges. The externship also included mock interviews, discussions on internship opportunities and a visit to a P&G manufacturing plant.
First-year mechanical engineering student Giuliana Digiannantonio was invited to participate in the NACME P&G externship the summer before enrolling as a full-time undergraduate at UD.
“I felt more confident entering UD knowing there are multiple pathways and opportunities to become an engineer,” Digiannantonio said.
Second-year mechanical engineering student Thiago Perez reflected on his informative and transformational experience with the P&G externship.
“I got to see a behind-the-scenes look at P&G's manufacturing process, its commitment to innovation and its emphasis on sustainability,” Perez said.
NACME has provided Perez an opportunity to interview with P&G for a research and development internship for the upcoming summer, as well as other companies that partner with the program.
“As an engineering student, you have to look for innovation where it is needed and be attentive,” Perez said, “A desire to learn and innovate is what makes a great engineer.”
NACME and MEP aim to help imagine an engineering workforce that is representative of society by providing students with a place to form community.
“NACME and MEP provide me with a strong sense of support, making me feel valued and empowered as a person,” Digiannantonio said.
At the University of Dayton, student success is a fundamental priority. As a designated NACME institution, the university is empowered to advance this vision with greater focus and strategic intent. This partnership enables Dayton to engage with students in innovative and purposeful ways, while also expanding NACME resources beyond the engineering disciplines to benefit a broader range of academic fields.
“NACME is unlike other scholarships,” Brown said, “Take the 10 minutes to complete the application. If you have the passion for the programs’ values, apply to NACME and MEP.”

Group photo of all summer 2024 P&G externship students.
