UMass Dartmouth's Fiondella receives 2021 award for excellence in equity, diversity, & inclusion

Dr. Lance Fiondella with graduate students. (Photographer: Kindra Clineff)
Dr. Lance Fiondella with graduate students. (Photographer: Kindra Clineff)

Dr. Lance Fiondella, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the 2021 recipient of the College of Engineering Faculty Award for Excellence in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Dr. Fiondella’s current and former students described him as “accessible, supportive, honest, and a researcher who cultivates a collegial atmosphere in mentoring students from diverse backgrounds to utilize their full potential.”  

Nominators also noted Fiondella’s provision of a safe and inclusive environment for all students at UMassD, including creating a learning environment that prepares the next generation of culturally competent scientists and engineers as well as for integrating approaches that increase the representation, degree attainment, and professional success of students historically underrepresented in STEM. “Dr. Fiondella’s involvement with student groups that promote diversity as well as his tenacious pursuit of funding to increase diversity and inclusion in engineering is commendable,” says Dr. Jean VanderGheynst, dean of the College of Engineering.

Fiondella joined UMass Dartmouth as an assistant professor in 2013. His research in the areas of system and software reliability engineering has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers. The ARL, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, National Science Foundation, and NAVAIR have funded his research.