More than 70% of engineers are white and more than 80% are male, according to the Pew Research Center. A new initiative at Chicago’s community colleges could help diversify the profession.
Leaders at City Colleges of Chicago announced today they are expanding the reach of their engineering education program, from one location at Wilbur Wright College, to at least two more colleges across the city, with the hopes of adding two more in 2026.
The expansion starts next fall with Harold Washington College downtown and Harry S. Truman College on the North Side. By fall of 2026, officials said, those students who live on the Far South Side should be able to complete engineering credits at Olive-Harvey College or Richard J. Daley College instead of traveling two hours to Wright College on Chicago’s Northwest Side to do so…