2021-2022 Annual Report

Director's Message

Every year brings changes and new opportunities, and this year was no different. Our 2021-22 academic year saw us fully return to in-person activities and programs while offering virtual options where appropriate. We also welcomed our new Assistant Director for outreach programming, Brianne Wrede; she was tasked with bringing our outreach programming back to in-person activities. Brianne is a former K-12 teacher with a passion for helping young students grow and develop, and wow, does that show! She brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the program, and we are very fortunate that she chose to join our staff.We remain ever thankful for the participation and support of our alums, corporate partners, foundation partners, community partners, and friends. Without all of you, we would not have the resources to reach, inspire, and support the number of girls and women we have in our programs.

Beth Holloway, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Diversity and Engagement
Leah H. Jamieson Director of Women in Engineering
Professor of Engineering Practice, Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering



ENROLLMENT OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING




  • Becca Jennings (WE Link)

  • Mairead Kennedy (ENGR 194 TA)

  • CJ Kulprathipanja (M&M)

  • Maddie McNarney (OA)

  • Alena Megregian (WE Link)

  • Rebecca Mold (M&M)

  • Ana Noreña (Outreach)

  • Claire Qiao (Outreach)

  • Morgan Smith (Outreach)

  • Lavanya Swaminathan (M&M)

  • Elyse Zurawski (M&M)



Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate. Hard-Working. Friendly.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

I wanted to be a part of this program because I know how much it impacted my college decision process. COVID started before my first-year, and the Women in Engineering Program helped me to feel better prepared and connected to the school as an incoming freshman.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

Being part of WE Link has been one of the ways I can give back to students who are just like me - making their college decision. I get excited when we get feedback from the women and families who engage with the programs since I feel our impact firsthand. By giving back and inspiring the next incredible group of young women, I hope other girls feel encouraged to join this program too!

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

As someone involved in many different organizations across campus, the Women in Engineering Program stands out as an outlet for creativity and professional development. It is a terrific community for women to be a part of. Everyone I have worked with, from staff to alums and other Leadership Team members, has been outstanding!

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

The Women in Engineering Program impacts women's decision-making when choosing the right university. It makes the engineering community seem less intimidating and overwhelming since women know they will have the resources they need to be successful. When students get on campus, they realize how much support they have available. From events to speaking with alums and company representatives, mentorship opportunities, and tutoring, just to name a few, all these things make students more excited and inspired to be engineers.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

I would tell those considering engineering that it sets you up for anything you want to do in a future career. Your degree and undergraduate experience are designed to give you the toolset - a skillset - you need to succeed in solving challenging problems that persist in everyday life.

Describe yourself in three words.

Ambitious. Personable. Leader.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

The transition to college was difficult for me, but the support and resources provided by the Women in Engineering Program were astounding and helped immensely. I joined the program so that I could take part in providing that same support for aspiring women engineers as they undergo a similar transition.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

My daily goal is to take action that helps others, regardless of the magnitude. The WIEP Leadership Team has given me an incredible opportunity to do that. As a Teaching Assistant, I help hundreds of students navigate the obstacles of First-Year Engineering (FYE), both academically and personally. I can grow as a mentor and leader while helping those around me grow to their full potential.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

The Women in Engineering Program is where I can provide support and mentorship to early undergraduate students as they navigate FYE, and it has also provided me with so much support in return. The program's culture is empowerment and women supporting women; I can't think of anything better than that! What separates WIEP from other programs or organizations is how we support each individual to get them on their path to success while also focusing on the program as a whole.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

The more assistance that WIEP receives, the more activities, help, and resources we can provide and utilize to engage with evolving women engineers. As someone who is underrepresented in the field, support is sometimes essential to gain confidence and feel like you belong. We want to give everyone that poise, and the more assistance we get from alums, organizations, and corporations, the more successful we can be in having that impact.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

The most important advice I could give to the next generation of engineers is to recognize failure as a vital part of your path to success, as opposed to something that keeps you from it. It can be easy to become discouraged over failures, but ultimately failures and mistakes provide a valuable opportunity to learn. A chance to learn should never have a negative connotation.

Describe yourself in three words.

Driven. Empathetic. Dependable.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

I initially decided to participate in the Women in Engineering Program because I wanted to meet more people at Purdue and learn skills that would help me as a student and after I graduate. After my first-year, I decided to continue participating in WIEP because of how much it helped me grow and the community I found in it. My fellow Leadership Team members are so supportive, and we help lift each other up when classes get hard, or interviews are unsuccessful, and we can always count on each other to be there.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

Being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team for M&M matters because the program helped me tremendously during my first-year when I participated. Being in the program made me feel confident in my career choice and taught me valuable skills and life lessons that I still use. I joined the Leadership Team because the program goals align with my mission of supporting women in engineering. I wanted to help grow the program so others would have a great experience like I did.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

From my involvement in WIEP, I learned how to negotiate my first job offer, manage my finances, and network effectively. All three skills are essential to building my career and are not taught in a classroom setting. The Women in Engineering Program has also provided me with endless opportunities to connect with alums to speak with them about their experiences and careers, which has helped me be successful as a student and prepared me for when I graduate.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

Alums, organizations, and corporations should get involved and support what we do because they can help provide and create experiences for students. They can provide insight into what would have helped them when they were in college or what they want to see in Purdue graduates, and alums can share their life experiences with students. Corporations can provide insight into what they look for when they hire and what their company does; this can help students grow and prepare for what’s next after graduation.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

I would advise the next generation of engineers to be open to trying out anything that interests them. Whether joining a club or taking on an internship, it is important to get different experiences to determine what excites you the most.

Describe yourself in three words.

Bubbly. Hardworking. Driven.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

As a senior in high school, I went to the Women in Engineering Program's Exploring Engineering at Purdue event. Neither of my parents were engineers or worked in the industry, so I didn't know much about it. I loved this program and all that it entailed. Through the career panels, the keynote speaker at the luncheon, and the engineering discipline talks, I knew that Purdue was the place for me. During my first-year, when Dr. Zurn-Birkhimer asked me if I wanted to apply to work for WIEP, I was blown away. I was hired to assist in organizing the event that helped me choose Purdue, which was a full-circle moment for me. I love working for WIEP every day because I can inspire young girls like myself to come to Purdue to study engineering.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

The WIEP Leadership Team matters because it allows me to be a part of something larger than myself and has helped me create my home away from home at Purdue. Ultimately, I believe we encourage, inspire, and motivate young women who take a stand for themselves and truly follow their dreams.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

The Women in Engineering Program is a unique organization. I am a mentor and a mentee on the operations Leadership Team, which is extraordinary because you can develop emotional intelligence by working from both lenses. The professional development and networking opportunities we receive are unlike any other organizations we participate in. WIEP is able to provide me with a family of like-minded females across Purdue's campus, something that is unmatched.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

WIEP has a mission within Purdue but also outside of Purdue. Without the support of alums, other organizations, and corporations, we will never be able to tackle the uphill battle we are on. Encouraging women to pursue careers and education in STEM is not something we can do alone; it takes a village.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

An engineering degree can take you far in life, but something that I find is much more important than that is it teaches you how to think. After receiving a Purdue Engineering degree, you can successfully tackle challenging problems, think quickly on your feet, and learn how to solve multifaceted problems. Don't be afraid to ask questions and reach out to those who have been in your shoes.



Describe yourself in three words.

Bold. Resilient. Creative.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

I decided to participate in the Women in Engineering Program because of its extensive network and the resources that it offers students. I love that I have access to these resources, and I want others to know about the opportunities that we have, which is what my position focuses on.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

It allows me to give back to students finding themselves in the position I was in just a few years ago. It took someone to believe in me and help me see my potential in engineering. I want to be able to support girls who are likely trying to make the most significant decision they've had to make so far in their lives.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

The Women in Engineering Program is different because of how much they offer to students for free. We all get the opportunity to be as involved as we want, but we know that the resources are always available whenever we want to utilize them.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

They should get involved and support what we do because, for many women, including me, the Women in Engineering Program here at Purdue is one of the reasons I chose to come here and pursue engineering. I knew I would be supported and have people on my side when stepping into engineering.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

One piece of advice is not to let yourself be what gets in the way of your success. So many times, thinking that I can't do it is what has held me back. Once I got past that mental block and stepped forward toward the things I wanted to pursue, I began to see that I could do it.

Describe yourself in three words.

Thoughtful. Dedicated. Persistent.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

Starting college during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I initially struggled to find a community at Purdue. When I joined the Women in Engineering Program, I was originally looking to find friends and learn more about the engineering major I was interested in. However, what I found was a supportive community that was willing to guide me through my difficult transition to college. As I have grown as an engineer and person, I am excited to give back to this program and help other participants find a sense of belonging at Purdue.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

Being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team has allowed me to help the community of women engineers that supported me. I know how critical it is to ensure that our participants have access to the encouragement and resources we offer. I remember this program's importance to me as an FYE student and now as a Leadership Team member. I'm excited to guide and shape the program so valuable to women in engineering at Purdue.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

WIEP provides many opportunities for students to connect and create a supportive network. I have developed a sense of belonging at Purdue and as a woman engineer through participating in this program. When going through difficult spots on my engineering journey, this program has reminded me that I am not alone and will overcome them. I think a strong sense of community is unique to this program.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

Supporting WIEP is more than simply funding another student organization; it is building a future for women engineers. This program helps to encourage young women and show them that they are capable of pursuing engineering, and it also cultivates a network of support and resources to help them thrive. WIEP's work to enable women at Purdue is vital to developing a future where all can succeed in engineering.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

One piece of advice I would want to share with the next generation of engineers is to think about building connections. Engineering is a collaborative discipline that often requires people from different backgrounds to work together. It is easy to become single-mindedly focused on achieving one particular goal or studying one specific field. However, it is essential to understand many different areas as an engineer and be willing to rely on others when they have valuable expertise.



Describe yourself in three words.

Curious. Creative. Leader.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

I decided to join the Women in Engineering Program because I had always worked with kids and loved making a difference. I found the outreach program and immediately wanted to get more involved with all the activities that we have for kids in the community.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

I love being part of the WIEP Leadership Team because I believe that being a leader for this program impacts the community and the other women in engineering at Purdue. It aligns with my mission, as making a difference is very important.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

Being a part of WIEP has allowed me to meet and network with many incredible people I would otherwise have no connection with. It's different from the other organizations I am involved in since those are student-led and don't have as many networking opportunities or the resources to reach as many alums.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

Everyone should get involved and support the Women in Engineering Program because it is a great program that benefits many people. Not only does it help the engineers at Purdue currently, but also pre-college students of all ages.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might now have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

One piece of advice that I would give future engineers is that engineering provides you with a good foundation; it teaches you how to think and problem-solve to become a more well-rounded person. It doesn't matter which discipline you go into; you will be prepared to work in any field that interests you.

Describe yourself in three words.

Leader. Driven. Daring.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

I decided to join WIEP because I wanted to be able to meet people who are from different fields of engineering and backgrounds and be able to connect with them and work with them.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

As a part of the Outreach Team, I think giving back is important because many people don't know what they are capable of or what their options are. These programs allow them to explore different engineering fields and show them all the amazing things they can do. There is often a stigma that you have to be good in math or science to be an engineer, but WIEP Outreach Programs show kids that it doesn't matter what field you're good in; anybody can be an engineer.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

Thanks to the Women in Engineering Program, I have made new friends and connections in engineering. I have found people who will support me through my time at Purdue as they have gone through the same classes and have had similar experiences.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

I think it is essential for alums, organizations, and corporations to support what we are doing. It will allow more women to feel invested in engineering and willing to become an engineer in the future. It will also provide a network for any current WIEP students.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

My advice to anyone is that it is ok to make mistakes and it is ok to fail. Growth is about learning from your mistakes, not dwelling on them or repeating them.

Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate. Ambitious. Imaginative.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

I have always been heavily involved in community service, whether through Girls Scouts when I was younger or NHS in high school, so I wanted to continue doing that in college. The Women in Engineering Program has allowed me to combine my passion for engineering with my passion for community service through its outreach team.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

Strong role models and networks are essential in the engineering field. By connecting with young engineers, we can give them a sense of community and be role models for what engineers can be. Young women need to see themselves in the current generation of engineers so they don't feel like they will be alone when entering the field.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

Outreach has given me a sense of fulfillment that I don't get from my other engineering classes. Working with the local community has always been important to me, and outreach allows me to inspire young women.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

As young professionals, it is crucial to see women in the fields we are entering. Nothing makes a woman want to join your company more than showing that there is a strong female presence in the workplace.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

You don't need to be great at math and science to be an engineer. A strong work ethic and a desire to learn are the most critical skills in engineering!



Describe yourself in three words.

Determined. Hard-working. Passionate.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

As a first-year student moving to a new country, I wanted to find a community that would make me feel at home at Purdue. One that would help me to meet different people, make lifelong friends, and learn new things. I wanted to grow my network, and the Women in Engineering Program offered a warm, inclusive, and diverse environment for me to do that.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

WIEP gave me a lot during my first-year and made me feel so welcome that I wanted to give back to the program by being a Leadership Team member. Being an LT member was also the perfect way to give back to my community through my passion for mentoring. I am incredibly passionate about roles that make a positive difference in the world around me. I wanted to use the Leadership Team's reach to inspire other female engineers and international students in the program and convey that everyone has a unique and valuable journey to success.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

Being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team allows me to work alongside and learn from other outstanding female engineers. I have met friends and mentors I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Most other engineering clubs I've been interested in have helped me grow my technical skills, but WIEP has taught me the soft skills I need to succeed in the industry. WIEP has taught me to network, be open to different learning opportunities, and establish meaningful connections with my colleagues.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

The most meaningful experiences an aspiring engineer can have often lie outside the classroom. To alums, I'd say that getting involved in WIEP is a chance to impact many engineers' lives. You are some of the most effective sources of inspiration for aspiring engineers. Engineering is a challenging major to pursue, especially for underrepresented students, but the reassurance of talking to a successful alum helps so many students persevere! To other organizations and corporations, WIEP is a program that every female engineer deserves to be a part of. Your help in widening the reach of WIEP and nurturing the next generation of female engineers will create an outstanding workforce that can positively impact the world.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

My advice would be to be open to new opportunities, challenge yourself to grow, and that it's okay to be vulnerable and ask for help if you need it.

Describe yourself in three words.

Perceptive. Passionate. Communicative.

Why did you decide to participate in the Women in Engineering Program?

I was a first-year student during the 2020-21 academic year, so I participated in the Mentees and Mentors group program while it was in full COVID mode (completely virtual). Through this, I saw how much effort went into facilitating the program and how beneficial it was for the participants, even when it was entirely online. I felt my skills would work well in supporting the program, and as a Leadership Team member, I knew I could provide a similar experience for future participants.

Why does being a part of the WIEP Leadership Team matter to you?

Being a leader in forming this ever-growing community of women in engineering at Purdue is an extraordinary opportunity for me. Growing up as a girl interested in STEM, hearing about how much I would have to overcome in the field because I am not a boy began to sound like a broken record. My mission is to normalize women and men coexisting in STEM. To accomplish this, women need a space within the field where they can be open about their experiences and find support from their peers. The Women in Engineering Program allows me to facilitate this for the engineering students at Purdue. I hope they can take what they have learned in our program and make this space where ever they choose to go next.

What do you get through your involvement in the Women in Engineering Program?

With over 1,000 registered participants, the Mentees and Mentors program allows me to impact a much larger Purdue student body population than any other organization I am involved with. Through my position on the Leadership Team, I can provide a support structure to help women find a sense of belonging in the College of Engineering and confidence in their abilities as both a professional and an engineer.

Why should alums, organizations, and corporations get involved and support what we do in WIEP?

WIEP is constantly growing and has reach from elementary to graduate students. As an alumnus, organization, or corporation, getting involved and supporting our program puts you in a position to positively impact these students and help them discover paths within the STEM field.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with the next generation of engineers that you might not have known when you started to think about pursuing this pathway?

It is ok not to follow an identical path as your peers. Like most engineering students here at Purdue, I applied to many summer internships during my sophomore year and had some interviews, but none of the companies extended an offer. It was challenging watching most of the people around me receive and accept offers; it made me feel less capable as an engineer. Over the summer, hearing about my peers' great experiences at their internships while I was at home working a retail job was a constant reminder of what I had built up in my head to be a failure as an engineering student. I wish someone had told me how wrong I was. One summer does not define your capabilities, even if you diverge from the "typical" path. There are lessons and growth opportunities in roles other than an engineering internship that still contribute to you becoming an engineer.


make a contribution to the women in engineering program

The Women in Engineering Program could not achieve its mission to enrich the profession of engineering with women's full participation without our donors' generous support. We offer our sincerest thanks to all who have supported our programs.


Dudley Hall, Room 2516
353 N. Grant Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
(765) 494-3889
[email protected]
www.purdue.edu/wiep