Different paths lead women professors to Watson College

In 2021, women still face obstacles when entering STEM fields. According to research by the Society of Women Engineers, they make up only 13% of U.S. engineers and just 26% of computer scientists.

While there is still work ahead to encourage more into engineering careers, the percentage of women undergraduate and graduate students at Watson College has risen from 15% in 2010 to 25% in 2020. Likewise, the percentage who are tenured and tenure-track Watson faculty has gone from 13% to 20% in the same period.

Women faculty members not only impart knowledge in the classroom, but also serve as role models when Watson graduates join the ranks of industry and academia. We talked to one professor from each department about their personal and professional journeys as well as how to attract more women to engineering and computer science.

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