The Baskin School of Engineering proudly announces Professor Rebecca Dubois as the 2024 Steve Kang Award recipient. Her deeply personal approach to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is positively impacting the landscape of engineering education and research at our institution.

Since establishing her lab, Professor Dubois has cultivated one of our most diverse and inclusive research environments, where nearly half of her thirty former and current lab members come from underrepresented backgrounds. This remarkable representation stems from her intentional efforts to nurture talent and include aspiring scientists and engineers from all walks of life – particularly first-generation college students. By implementing flexible accommodations, providing one-on-one mentorship, and fostering a growth mindset among her students, she has created a supportive learning community where emerging scientists and engineers can thrive.

Professor Dubois’s impact extends far beyond traditional academic support. She pioneered an innovative approach to including first-generation students’ families in lab activities, effectively bridging the gap between academic and home life. Her commitment to supporting students balancing familial responsibilities alongside academic pursuits is further exemplified by her work with international students facing hardship. Professor Dubois has shown a willingness to adapt research plans to accommodate real-life circumstances while maintaining the highest standards of excellence. Also, as a passionate advocate for women in STEM, she has built a predominantly female research team, demonstrating through action that engineering is a field where all can succeed.

Through these initiatives and more, Professor Dubois embodies the spirit of innovation and inclusion that the Steve Kang Award celebrates, showing that authentic mentorship and compassionate leadership can transform the face of engineering education.