There has been a growing awareness in government, higher education, and the workforce that women of color are particularly underrepresented and underserved in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To address issues that lead to women engineers of color choosing to leave STEM, the Women of Color in Engineering Collaborative (WCEC) was launched. Led by representatives from three diversity-serving STEM professional societies -- the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) – the partnership network of 29 professional engineering societies and STEM-based companies was created to address systemic barriers that prohibit equitable work environments for women engineers of color. With funding from the National Science Foundation, the WCEC developed a strategic plan that includes a definition of the population of interest (women of color, or WOC, in engineering), a shared vision statement focused on dismantling systemic barriers that impede the retention and advancement of WOC engineers, and a mission statement that promotes a supportive, encouraging, and inclusive environment for WOC in engineering.
The WCEC brings organizations together to tackle systemic barriers in engineering through the programs, services, and information offered to member organizations, while also amplifying the voices of WOC in engineering. The WCEC identified five systemic barriers that the collaborative was best equipped to tackle over the next three-to-five years:
• Improve Pathways to Internships, Scholarships, and Jobs in Engineering
• Reduce Microaggressions, Racism, and Sexism in the Workplace
• Retain and Amplify Women of Color in the Workplace
• Increase Network Inclusivity and Sponsorships for Women of Color
• Raise Openness and Reduce Backlash to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Practices
This presentation to the ASEE CoNECD audience will provide an overview of our strategic planning process and our efforts to implement the strategic plan. The project team will share opportunities for audience members to join the WCEC, connect with the WCEC community, and access WCEC resources.
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