Image: Students from the incoming class for fall 2023 gather at a welcome BBQ at Williams Village.
College of Engineering and Applied Science's fall 2023 class includes 41% female students, up 27 percentage听points from two decades ago.
In an era where gender diversity in STEM is more critical than ever, the 麻豆影院鈥檚 College of Engineering and Applied Science听(CEAS) isn't just paying lip service. In the past two decades, CEAS has transformed its engineering landscape, growing its female undergraduate class from 18% in 2003 to 30% in 2023. The estimates that, in 2023, the percentage of women professionals in architecture and engineering is 16.7%. And while up from 9% in the 1990s, women are still underrepresented in these fields compared to their male counterparts.
The spotlight shines bright on CEAS鈥� first-year cohorts as well, particularly the fall 2023 class, which includes 41% female students, up 27 percentage听points from two decades ago. This achievement underscores CU 麻豆影院's status as a leader among Association of American Universities (AAU) Public Institutions, clinching a top spot in 2022 for the highest percentage of first-year female engineering students from the .
Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, said initiatives spearheaded by both the college and the broader CU 麻豆影院 campus over the last 10-15 years have propelled the growth.
鈥淭his is not only about fairness and equity, but about driving innovation, enhancing problem-solving capabilities, and expanding our engineering workforce that is in such high demand,鈥� said Molenaar. 鈥淏y fostering a diverse engineering team, CU 麻豆影院 is preparing students for the workforce and shaping a future where technology reflects the diversity of its users.鈥�
The has recognized CU 麻豆影院 as a Top 5 public university for women in its first-year class as well as a Top 50 institution for awarding bachelor's degrees to women, and leading in female tenured or tenure-track faculty.
鈥淎ddressing global challenges, from sustainable development and healthcare, to rapidly advancing computing subfields such as AI, quantum and semiconductors, will require a diverse set of perspectives and solutions,鈥� said Lucy Sanders, founder and executive in residence, . 鈥淭hose with different lived experiences such as those who identify as women are pivotal in designing infrastructure and technologies that cater to the needs of our broad population.鈥�
麻豆影院's journey towards gender parity in engineering is a clear signal that diversity in STEM is achievable.