WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (WISE)
Supporting Organizations | Networks | Resources | Programs
About WISE
Today women continue to be underrepresented in many fields of science and engineering at all levels. Even in fields where women are nearly 50 percent of the population, the climate continues to be inhospitable. The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Initiative focuses on improving the climate for women in science and engineering at all academic and professional levels at the University of Minnesota.
This initiative was launched as a result of a Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) conference, which recognized that women in science and engineering fields have unique barriers in academic settings that must be addressed specifically. The WISE Initiative at the University of Minnesota has implemented a variety of programs designed to enhance recruitment, retention, and professional development of University women in science and engineering. Outreach programs such as summer career camps for women high school students, "Cool Chemistry" Workshops, and “Graduate School as an Option” address recruitment issues. Retention and career development programs have included activities such as student leadership conferences, establishment of a student living and learning community for freshman women in science and engineering, panel discussions on balancing family and career, and workshops on teaching practices.
The Office for University Women has supported this initiative from its inception, as has the Institute of Technology (IT) Program for Women led by Associate Dean Roberta Humphreys. With support from campus partners, WISE will continue to develop and implement programs for women in science and engineering at the University of Minnesota.
Mission
To provide leadership to improve the learning and professional environment for women in all science, engineering and mathematics fields. Primary goals include:
- Improving the climate for women in science and engineering
at the University of Minnesota by enhancing recruitment, retention
and professional development.
- Promoting the pipeline of girls and women in science and engineering
through outreach.
- Encouraging multidisciplinary, collaborative scientific research
by and about women.
- Facilitating communication within the University of Minnesota and the broader scientific community about women in science and engineering.