Virginia Tech’s CEED Program Builds Pipelines to Engineering

Starting with programs for middle and high school students, through supports for graduate students, the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) has provided inspiration, insight, encouragement, and community for engineering students.

Dr. Bevlee WatfordTaylor CuppEstablished in 1992 by Dr. Bevlee Watford, who earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Virginia Tech, CEED has raised awareness about engineering and other technical fields and fueled diversity in the professions.

“Many of the programs that we put into existence are things that I wish that I had had,” says Watford, associate dean of equity and engagement and executive director of CEED.

Early in her time as an administrator at Virginia Tech, she implemented the Black Engineering Support Team (BEST), having Black upperclassmen be peer mentors to freshmen. Those freshmen remained bonded and, in time, became mentors. Such support has grown over the last three decades.

“Honestly, I’m still amazed every single day about what we have now,” Watford says. “It really started with 10 undergraduate students who wanted to be peer mentors to help the freshmen coming behind them.”

Inception