College appoints assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion

“Let’s not talk about it, let’s be about it,” is one of Angelitha Daniel’s favorite quotes.

The creation of an assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion position within the College of Engineering (COE) is an example of that kind of tangible movement toward change, Daniel said. She is the first person to hold the new position and began her work on Aug. 1, 2022.

As assistant dean, Daniel will provide leadership for College-wide efforts to better ensure a supportive, equitable and inclusive work, teaching and learning environment for the College’s students, faculty members and staff members.

“It’s important for people to feel that they belong in a space,” she said. “They want to be comfortable and able to thrive.”

Daniel received her B.S. degree in materials science and engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998 and served as coordinator of minority recruitment in its Swanson School of Engineering for five years. She joined NC State in 2003 as the assistant director of Minority Engineering Programs (MEP) in the COE’s Office of Academic Affairs. Daniel was promoted to interim MEP director in 2011 and then permanent director in 2013. In July 2020, she began work as a special advisor to the dean for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

“For more than 19 years, Angie’s efforts and leadership have been instrumental in the design and implementation of numerous programs and initiatives that have played a critical role in the recruitment, retention and success of our underrepresented minority (URM) students,” said Louis Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering.

Known nationally as a champion of student, faculty and staff equity and inclusion, her work includes presentations and publications at the American Society for Engineering Education, Women in Engineering Proactive Network, the National Academy of Engineering and other related forums.

This includes providing leadership of the COE Broadening Participation and Inclusion (BPI) Committee, the design and development of a COE Diversity Strategic Plan and various other related endeavors.

As a member of the COE Executive Committee, her work will be complementary to, and in collaboration with, ongoing DEI efforts and committees in the COE’s departments and units. She will also be the College’s principal interface with NC State’s Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity and other University entities within the diversity, equity and inclusion space.

As Daniel steps into her new role, Javon Adams has been appointed as the interim director of the Women and Minority Engineering Programs. Adams holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in civil engineering from NC State and has worked previously for the College as coordinator of engineering transfer advising and diversity research.