A message from Director Dr. Cinda-Sue Davis

The 2005-2006 academic year marks a special anniversary for the Women in Science and Engineering Program. It was 25 years ago that the Michigan woman science, mathematics and engineering faculty with support from the central administration established the WISE Program. Although we were not the first in the country, we were significant in that we served the entire university STEM community; the university provided the core budget; and we had a dedicated staff. The original focus was on the undergraduate community with the intent to increase the numbers of women studying and pursuing careers in science, engineering, mathematics, and other technical fields.

Twenty-five years later, we have expanded our focus and size dramatically. The WISE Program receives support from the Office of the Vice-President for Research, the College of Engineering, the College of LSA, and the University Housing Division. We have three offices – one in the College of Engineering on north campus, one in LSA on central campus, and one in our residential living-learning program in Mosher-Jordan. We work with girls and women, from elementary school through university faculty. While we still suggest success strategies for women, we just as often study why large research institutions or particular disciplines are often not hospitable to diverse students. Institutional change is a large component of our mandate.

Our work has paid off. Last year we graduated more undergraduate women in engineering than any other school in the nation. Women are 54% of the biology undergraduates and 45% of the chemistry majors. Longitudinal research studies have shown that women who spend their freshman year in the WISE Residence Program are statistically more likely to graduate with a degree in science or engineering. The WISE-RP was named a national “exemplary program” by the congressionally mandated Building Engineering and Science Talent (BEST) committee. In 2000, the WISE Program was presented with the Presidential Award for Science, Engineering and Mathematics Mentoring.

Yet there is still work to be done. Nationally the numbers of young women pursuing engineering degrees are dropping. Certain fields, such as computer science or physics, still have very small numbers of female students. The WISE Program will host a reunion/conference for alumna, faculty, and friends of the program in May. Watch your mailbox for further information!

We appreciate your continued interest and support and look forward to the next 25 years! Perhaps by then there will be no need for a Women in Science and Engineering Program!

February 2006 eNews