IDEA aims to increase diversity in engineering by promoting and developing the strengths of diverse students, particularly those attending dual degree programs at HBCUs and liberal arts
institutions.

To achieve this, IDEA will use the campus experience management platform AUCConnect to provide students access to tools that can document their strengths and highlight assets. This approach is intended to increase engineering identity development.

All AUC dual degree students can use AUCConnect to document their diverse experiences and strengths adding value to the engineering profession. AUCConnect will promote and increase student service and leadership opportunities emblematic of the HBCU-based liberal arts education. The platform will be used to assess student impact on the diversity of the engineering profession.