A WIE volunteer explains a keychain wiring exercise to a middle school student at Students Exploring Engineering. The event expanded this year, welcoming three times as many students and exposing them to concepts in five different engineering disciplines. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)
After helping increase the number of women undergraduates in the College, WIE expands to grad students and postdocs to build on its thriving community.
When Joy Harris arrived as the new director of the College’s Women in Engineering (WIE) program, there was a lot to celebrate.
In its 30 years of existence, the program has contributed to boosting the number of women in the College to 35% of undergraduates. And in some Schools, female students now outnumber males. WIE also has been awarding more than $150,000 in scholarships every year and hosting a robust program of corporate engagement opportunities for students.
That meant it was time for the next chapter, and Harris had some ideas.
“WIE is a women-led office that serves the entire College,” said Harris, who herself studied electrical and computer engineering at Tech as an undergrad. “Our vision is for 100% of the College of Engineering to be positively impacted by a WIE program or initiative. Men, women, faculty, staff, grads, postdocs, undergrads — 100% of the College.”