Session Description

Free ticketed event
This panel will look at key shifts in the history of advancing and supporting academic women in engineering and science, to include the topics of women students, affinity and professional organizations, and institutional and national leadership roles, among others. In addition, this panel, all of whom are authors of the Springer Nature book “Women in Academia,” part of the Women in Engineering and Science book series, will also look at how our past informs the current status and provides potential guidance on addressing challenges and opportunities for the future.

For those interested in: Academia-Industry Connections, Advocacy and Policy, Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology, and New Members

Moderated by

1. Dr. Jenna P. Carpenter

Speakers

1. Dr. Olga Pierrakos

   National Science Foundation

   Dr. Olga Pierrakos is currently a STEM Education Program Director at the National Science Foundation and remains active with national leadership roles and research in higher education, engineering education, and healthcare innovation.

2. Dr. Beth M Holloway

   Purdue University – West Lafayette (College of Engineering)

   Beth Holloway is the Senior Assistant Dean for Student Access and Success & Leah H. Jamieson Director of the Women In Engineering Program at Purdue University.

3. Idalis Villanueva Alarcón

   University of Florida

   Dr. Idalis Villanueva Alarcón is Chair and Professor in the Department of Engineering Education in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida. A presidential awardee (PECASE), she has led multiple pioneering efforts in engineering education including multimodal methods in engineering education using sensor technologies and biophysiological tools, hidden curriculum, mentoring, active learning, professional identity, among others. She is a renowned national and international leader in engineering education research and practice earning her multiple accolades and honors ... (continued)

4. Dr. Donna M Riley

   University of New Mexico

   Donna Riley is Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing and Professor in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at The University of New Mexico. Before joining UNM, Riley was Kamyar Haghighi Head and Professor in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue University. During her time at Purdue, she served as Director of Workforce Development for the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center, a 10-year NSF-funded project developing research, education, innovation, and industrial ecosystems supporting the electric vehicle transition, integrating wireless and wired charging with transportation and electric utility systems.

5. Thea R Sahr

   Thea is Executive Director of DiscoverE working exclusively in STEM education. Eventually, the STEM acronym narrowed to engineering and a career was born. She has co-developed a PBS television and outreach campaign (Design Squad). She has led a national research project that helped change the way we present engineering to girls (Engineer Your Life). She has consolidated eight radically different websites into one cohesive destination for 400,000 visitors a year and shaped and implemented programs that reach 5.5 million people annually.

6. Kaitlyn N. Stormes

   University of Georgia

   Dr. Kaitlyn Stormes has served in several professional higher education roles in California, where she is from. In particular, she brings experience with institutional research, academic advising, program evaluation, and data management at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and California Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt).

   Outside of academia, she lives in Athens with her husband (a PhD student at UGA) and their two cats. Coming from California, she loves the coast but she also enjoys traveling, doing yoga, and hiking.

7. Dr. Linda G. Blevins

   National Science Foundation

   Dr. Linda G. Blevins retired in May 2025 as the Executive Leader of Knowledge Management Frameworks for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). From 2018-2022, she served as the Deputy Assistant Director and Acting Assistant Director of the Engineering Directorate at NSF, where she provided leadership and direction to the Directorate, which provides 40% of federal funding for basic research at academic institutions in engineering disciplines. Prior to joining NSF, Dr. Blevins served as a Senior Technical Advisor in the Office of the Deputy Director for Science Programs in the Department of E ... (continued)

Session Description

TENT EXTRA

For those interested in: Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology and New Members

Session Description

Greet the Stars! ASEE New Members & First Timers Orientation

Session Description

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) based applications is increasing across all engineering disciplines. In particular, the use of generative AI (GenAI) driven tools and applications such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney, and Autodesk, has increased significantly in the past couple of years. Higher education needs to keep pace with this development to leverage these developments to conduct better research and training and, critically, to ensure that students are prepared to use these tools in their work and for lifelong learning. Within engineering education, GenAI is impacting how and what we ... (continued)

Session Description

The proposed distinguished panel brings together the powerful voices of women of color who are transforming STEM education through stewardship, leadership, and advocacy. Anchored in the forthcoming book Partner and Leverage: Stories of Stewardship and Leadership from Women of Color in Engineering and Computing, the session explores strategic partnerships, mentorship models, and leadership practices that drive inclusive excellence in engineering and computing.

Throughout history, women of color leaders have spearheaded large-scale transformations in the makeup of STEM higher education (McGee et a ... (continued)

Speakers

1. Dr. Stephanie G. Adams

   University of Texas at Dallas

   Dean of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair
   An accomplished scholar and educator, Dr. Adams serves as a catalyst for change in engineering education. Her research emphasizes student engagement and the importance of diversity within academic environments.

2. stephanie L Evans Wemusa

   Professor of Black Women's Studies (Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies & African American Studies); Former Director, the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
   In her research, Dr. Evans centers Black women’s intellectual history, mental health, and wellness, and she is a prolific author and editor of works exploring memoir, social justice, and empowerment education.

Session Description

Annual business meeting for Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This meeting will introduce new officers, share program status, and receive member feedback. All are welcome to attend to learn about CDEI and opportunities to become involved!

For those interested in: Advocacy and Policy and Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology

Session Description

FREE TIME & Exhibit Hall Bistro

Session Description

PIC III business meeting to discuss updates, coordination, and priorities for the upcoming year.

For those interested in: Advocacy and Policy and Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology

Session Description

CE Division Business Meeting.

Moderated by

1. Dr. Mary Katherine Watson