A call-to-action from a keynote speaker and a series of group workshops in the Chrysler Center kicked off a year of events designed to increase diversity in the College of Engineering (CoE).

Levi Thompson, associate dean for undergraduate education, underscored the college’s commitment to change Jan. 20. “We’re here to do more than simply celebrate Martin Luther King Day. We’re here to start developing an action plan for the college,” Thompson said. “We’ve already picked the low-hanging fruit. Now it’s time to tackle the hard problems.”

Confronting those problems and working to implement solutions were the challenges issued by keynote speaker Alicia Jones. “Each and every one of you must become a functional leaderthe kind of person who stands up for what’s right, not a sell-out who sits back and waits for someone else to confront the issues,” said Jones, founder of YouthLINKS USA, a nonprofit organization devoted to demystifying technology for urban youth. “Rosa Parks didn’t want to start a movement. She just wanted to be treated like a human being, and she got to the point where she had to stand up for that.

“You are already leaders,” Jones said. “You worked hard and paid a lot of dues to get here. Now your job is to move on to fulfill Dr. King’s dream, to level the playing field for all people. Every person in this room has a mission. You need to know what that is and decide what your own legacy will be.”

Jones gave up a six-figure salary from AT&T to establish YouthLINKS USA. From its facility in northwest Detroit, students ranging from high schoolers to adults learn computer skills, including building and repairing computers, creating Web sites and administering mainframe systems.

Following the address, the audience broke into working groups to discuss problem-solving strategies in the areas of affirmative action, confronting stereotypes, the digital divide, diversity in the workplace, and retention of underrepresented students, staff and faculty.

The wrap-up session was moderated by Steven Wright, chair of the CoE MLK Committee and professor of civil and environmental engineering. “I’m very pleased with the results of our work,” he said later. “The working groups developed some excellent and creative actions to attack the various problems. They gave us some solid material to work with as we develop a series of events and activities that will continue to recognize Dr. King and his dream throughout the entire year.”

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