U of G Celebrates Women in Engineering with #TogetherWeEngineer

On Monday, June 23, the University of Guelph (U of G) celebrated International Women in Engineering Day under this year’s theme: #TogetherWeEngineer. To mark the occasion, a breakfast event at the Bullring welcomed 100 members of the U of G Engineering and College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) community for a morning of networking and empowerment. 

International Women in Engineering Day was launched in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society. It celebrates the achievements of women and gender-diverse individuals in engineering and aims to inspire more young women to explore careers in the field.  

At U of G, International Women in Engineering Day is a chance to celebrate the achievements of our students, faculty and staff while building a stronger, more connected community. By highlighting diverse voices and experiences, the event helps create a welcoming environment that empowers women and gender-diverse individuals to succeed in the field. 

“Ultimately, the goal is for everyone in engineering to feel welcome, to know they have a place in the profession and to excel in whatever endeavors they wish to pursue,” says Dr. Jana Levison, Doody Family Chair for Women in Engineering and associate professor at U of G. 

The event was organized by the Doody Family Chair for Women in Engineering team, which includes Levison and CEPS Outreach Manager Jean Hein, with support from student leaders.  

“It’s our way of thanking those who’ve helped us build and sustain a strong community supporting women in engineering,” says Hein.

The morning began with networking games and a land acknowledgement by undergraduate engineering students Alexandra MacKay and Megan Davidson, followed by remarks from CEPS Dean, Dr. Moncef Nehdi. 

Student leaders Mya Simpson and Alexandra Willem from Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) spoke about their efforts to support women in STEM. Natalie Kowalyshyn, Program Coordinator at Creative Encounters, shared initiatives focused on inspiring and engaging girls in STEM.