Women in Engineering Program
Since our establishment in 1993, our passion is to ensure women are equally represented in the engineering workforce, and that hard-working students eager to learn and change the world are fully aware of their capabilities.
The Women in Engineering Program (WIEP) focuses on:
- Supporting the College’s mission on student recruiting and student success, especially women students in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Leading K-12 and community outreach programs to increase interest of younger students to STEM.
- Forming strategic partnerships with other departments at UA, the greater Akron community and industry.
WIEP supports students by providing the following benefits:
- Connection with fellow students
- Opportunities to network with alum and industry partners
- Success series workshops
- Mentoring
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PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
Women in Engineering Living Community
WIEP partners with UA Housing to support the Women in Engineering Living Community to have an entire floor of a residence hall devoted to women in our engineering program. This is a great way to make friends and get help if you have a challenging class, as you will be surrounded by students going through exactly what you are.
Mentoring Program
Undergraduate students are connected to professional women engineers and upper-class female students as part of our Mentoring Program. Mentors provide career guidance and become a part of the student’s professional network. Events are held throughout the year to support this relationship, including workshops, speed-mentoring, and corporate tours where students and mentors can take an up-close look at engineers on the job.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
WIEP pays for the first-year of membership to SWE for all freshman who would like to join. Students have access to an online Career Center, scholarships, and the chance to attend an annual SWE conference.
K-12 Outreach and Community Services
WIEP leads K-12 outreach activities at the College, including the B-STEM Program, Kids’ Career Day, and Summer Experiences in Engineering Summer Camp.
“For me, Akron has always been home, but UA's Women in Engineering Program turned out to be everything I didn't know I needed. It has prepared me for the future in ways I could never imagine, and for that I am forever grateful.”
— Monica Feltman, Civil Engineering, '20
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STUDENT VOICES
Taylor Verba, a biomedical engineering major, on why she chose UA for her engineering education.
Madeline Lee, '19, B.S. Corrosion Engineering, talks about why she loves her job.
Margaret F. Donovan Chair for Women in Engineering
The Margaret F. Donovan Chair for Women in Engineering was established at The University of Akron through a $1 million gift from Margaret Donovan. On April 25, 2001, the University Board of Trustees approved the creation of the chair, which is believed to be the first in the U.S. designed to enhance and promote female leadership in engineering.
WIEP Advisory Council
The objective of the Advisory Council is to involve community leaders in the recruitment and retention of our next generation of female engineering leaders. The Advisory Council consists of a group of established leaders who are passionate advocates for encouraging more women engineers in the world.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
- Lauren M. Ameen, Deputy Manager, Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) Portfolio Project Office, NASA Glenn Research Center
- Dr. Brian Arbuckle, Emeritus Member
- Elisa Comis, Managing Director, Pini Group
- Dr. Teresa Cutright, Professor, Civil Engineering, The University of Akron
- Cara Krstolic, Director, Race Tower Engineering & Manufacturing, Chief Engineer, Motorsports, Bridgestone Americas
- Mr. Awald Langenfeld, Senior Project Manager, Cargill Salt
- Ms. Corrie Malkowski, Senior Engineer, K2M Design
- Ms. Cheryl McKinney, Vice President, Strategy and Portfolio, Fuels North America (retired), BP Oil
- Sarah Meyer, Group Leader - Mobile, The Timken Company
- Ms. Lynn Miggins, President, KS Associates
- Brandy Moorhead, Director, Government Compliance and Product Performance, Goodyear
- Brian Neiss, Program Management, Sr. Manager, Lockheed Martin, Akron
- Dr. Dane Quinn, Assoc. Dean, U.G. Research, Williams Honors College Professor, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Akron
- Sue Roberts, Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, Cosmo Corporation
- Dr. Mary Verstraete, Assoc. Dean of Undergraduate Studies (retired), Assoc. Professor of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron