Women in Engineering Panel Introduces MS and US Students to STEM Pathways

Middle School and Upper School students recently attended presentations by representatives from the Women in Engineering (WIE) program at the University of Maryland (UMD), offering students insight into engineering pathways and careers in STEM.

The panels were led by Jen Kuntz, Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment for UMD’s Women in Engineering Program, and included Raifah Alam and Grace Herron, student staff members with WIE. Panelists discussed the wide range of engineering disciplines and shared examples of projects underway at UMD’s Clark School of Engineering, highlighting the collaborative and applied nature of the field.

Ms. Alam noted that one of her favorite aspects of studying engineering is working with others to solve complex problems. Ms. Kuntz emphasized that engineering combines learning with real-world application and shared that women currently make up about 30 percent of first-year engineering students at UMD. She also described how the Women in Engineering Program supports both recruitment and retention, with a focus on building community and valuing every voice.

Holton Computer Science and Engineering teacher Lindsey McKan ’05, highlighted the importance of bringing guest speakers to campus. “At a girls’ school, it’s especially powerful for students to see women thriving in engineering,” McKan said. “These experiences help students challenge stereotypes and envision themselves as problem-solvers and leaders in STEM, while gaining a broader understanding of STEM fields and how their interests and skills can translate into future academic and career opportunities.”