Community and Culture

Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. – Rep. John Lewis, 2018.

ABOUT

The Community & Culture Committee is inspired by the late Representative John Lewis and his life’s work on promoting respect for the human dignity of the most vulnerable among us. We hope that Lewis’ phrase “Good Trouble” will remind us that supporting people who have had limited or no access to resources is an on-going struggle. It requires commitment to continually engage in difficult conversations, say informed, and implement change even when doing so is hard.

OUR GOAL

The goal of the Committee is to cultivate a culture in which all community members can thrive, with particular attention to effectively supporting underserved populations. Our community consists of people who contribute to the mission and vision of the University of Texas at Austin Department of Biomedical Engineering. This including trainees (undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, etc.), staff, faculty, alumni, and the families thereof. Our culture is the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes the UT BME community as a supportive and lively environment for faculty, students, and staff where every individual is treated with the same level of respect.

WHAT WE DO

The Committee is responsible for advising the UT BME department leadership and faculty on enhancing our community’s culture with particular attention to supporting underserved populations. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Academic course instruction
  • Scholarly research and its dissemination
  • Engagement with student organizations
  • Special events
  • Student academic achievement and postgraduate outcomes
  • Student recruitment
  • Healthy mental wellbeing
  • Mentoring, advising, and professional development
  • Recruitment and evaluation of faculty and staff
  • Postdoctoral training experience 

GET INVOLVED

UT Austin Biomedical Engineering students enjoy a very active and close-knit community. Student organizations are an important aspect of social and professional development for students in rigorous academic programs.

Student Organizations