2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

It has been well documented that females are generally underrepresented in many engineering academic programs as well as the profession. This paper suggests one way to lessen female underrepresentation in engineering academic programs. Female engineering students at the University of <> tend to minor in Spanish more than their male counterparts. This trend suggests that female students are drawn to the combination of engineering and Spanish. In response to this finding, the University of <> is developing an Engineering/Spanish dual-degree program to improve the gender imbalance in the engineering field. If successful, this program could serve as a model for other universities seeking to address gender disparities in STEM fields. This study has significant implications for the future of engineering education, highlighting the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields. By creating more appealing programs to a broader range of students, universities can help ensure that the next generation of engineers is more representative of the population. Numerous studies suggest a clear need for universities to address gender imbalances in STEM fields, and programs like Engineering plus Spanish could be an effective way to do so. By providing students with a unique and valuable skill set, these programs could help attract more women to engineering and other STEM fields, ultimately leading to a more diverse and innovative workforce.