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International Science Day, observed on February 11 each year, highlights the important contributions of women in science. Despite being historically underrepresented in STEM fields, women are breaking barriers with their passion for discovery and a variety of exciting career paths. For the past 20 years, Syracuse University’s School of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) has fostered this enthusiasm by encouraging mentorship, connecting scientists across disciplines, and sharing the joy of scientific exploration.
Established in 1999, the program supports the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in STEM fields on the Syracuse University campus. The group continues to build a pipeline of scientists and engineers through the core goals of increasing retention and representation, highlighting scholars, and establishing networks of advice and mentorship. These initiatives create a platform for students and faculty to exchange ideas and celebrate each other’s achievements.
Sadie Novak
Sadie Novak, a fifth-year chemistry student, is one of many WiSE participants pursuing their passion for scientific research. She remembers getting involved with organic chemistry during her undergraduate days, and she credits her distinguished professors and the labs she worked in with fostering her community of belonging.
“The professor did a great job of showing how organic chemistry is applied. [the field of] Chemistry. “I realized there were a lot of opportunities to work with chemistry,” Novak says.
As she continues to work at Syracuse, Novak has found support and community at WiSE’s monthly peer chat gatherings and networking events. “This has definitely opened a lot of doors and created a lot of community for her women in STEM here at Syracuse University,” Novak says.
kate lewis
Shobha Bhatia and Kate Lewis, co-directors of the program, said that providing support for female undergraduates in STEM fields and ensuring a shared space to build academic relationships requires informal mentoring and science and engineering. cites the importance of opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.
“Having the opportunity to network with other women in STEM and receive specific mentoring, training, and coaching related to being a woman in STEM is really valuable,” said Laura, Professor of Biology said Lewis, the J. and L. Douglas Meredith Meredith Distinguished Professor of Education. She is in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. “This allows women to find different strategies to succeed and grow, and networking can also help build resilience.”
Shobha Bhatia
“WiSE provides networking and collaboration, mentoring and connection for diverse groups,” said Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Meredith Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of Distinguished Teaching in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. says Mr. Bhatia. “This is unique, and even if WiSE didn’t exist, it doesn’t mean people wouldn’t have gotten along better. But if you talk to them individually, you can see that peer support has been very supportive. You will understand.”
Women make up only about a third of STEM fields in the United States, but that is changing. Organizations like WiSE play a key role in this change. In February, Novak says spotlighting women and girls in science and creating spaces where students can see themselves in their professors and other STEM scholars makes a big difference. Masu.
“If you don’t see other people doing it, [like role models] It’s even harder to imagine yourself there,” Novak says. “I think the following days will continue.” [Feb. 11] It is very important to focus on the people on the ground. ”
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