Dear Maseeh Community,
As we transition into the spring season and wrap up Women's History Month, it's the perfect time to reflect on another crucial aspect of diversity and equity at Maseeh College–the representation of women in STEM fields. The persistent gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math is a well-documented challenge, one that has significant implications not just for individual students, but for the entire innovation ecosystem. Excluding half the population from these critical disciplines means we're losing out on boundless creativity, unique perspectives, and transformative solutions.
At Maseeh, we're committed to breaking down the barriers that have historically kept women out of STEM. It starts with visible, empowered role models–faculty like civil engineer Dr. Diane Moug, our latest recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award, Dr. Ameeta Agrawal, a computer science professor working to make AI more equitable, nanomaterials expert Jun Jiao, recently named to the National Academy of Inventors, plus computer scientist Cynthia Brown and electronics engineering faculty Malgorzata Chrzanowska-Jeskei, the first women to serve as faculty members and department chairs in our college's history. Their trailblazing achievements inspire our students and challenge outdated stereotypes.
But we know representation alone is not enough. That's why we've doubled down on targeted outreach, mentorship, and support programs to nurture the pipeline of young women interested in engineering and computer science. Our alliances with groups like Women in Science PDX, Society of Women Engineers (SWE), We in Computer Science (WICS), and We in Space provide community, professional development, and research opportunities to empower our female students and help them thrive. Through partnerships like these and our Denice Dee Denton Women’s Hall of Fame, we're expanding the ecosystem of female STEM leaders in Portland.
Equity and innovation are deeply interconnected, and we cannot achieve one without the other. By creating pathways for women and other underserved populations to access and succeed in engineering fields and computer science, we unlock a wellspring of untapped potential that will drive the next generation of breakthroughs. It's not just the right thing to do, it's essential for the future of our college, our community, and our world.
So as we shift into spring and the days grow longer, let's continue our dedication to cultivating a more inclusive, equitable, and innovative Maseeh community. The future belongs to all of us: everyone should have a seat at the table.
Dr. Joseph Bull
H. Chik M. Erzurumlu Dean of the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University