December 2022 // WCEC Newsletter
What is the Women of Color in Engineering Collaborative?
The Women of Color in Engineering Collaborative (WCEC) was created in 2021 as a partnership network of professional engineering societies and STEM-based companies. The WCEC is working to address systemic barriers that prohibit equitable work environments for women engineers of color.
Since its inception, the WCEC has grown to 29 organizations, created a shared vision and mission, and developed a strategic plan that will guide our efforts over the next few years. Thank you for your interest and support of our work. We hope that you will engage with the WCEC as we begin implementing the strategies aimed at tackling the following five major challenges facing women of color (WOC) in the engineering workplace:
- 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
In each issue of the WCEC newsletter, we will explore one of these challenges and highlight the goals and strategies identified.
Want to Get Involved?
Are you interested in having your organization become a member of the WCEC? Read our membership guidelines and fill out an application. Learn more.
While we don’t offer membership to individuals, we do want to grow the WCEC community! Soon we will begin collecting profiles of amazing WOC engineers for our Inspiring Leaders database. We are also collecting resources from our member organizations to place in our online Resource Center. We will be using this newsletter to get the word out as these activities get underway. Please share the WCEC with your network and invite others to sign up for our newsletter through the Contact Us form on the WCEC website.
Barrier #2: Reduce Microaggressions, Racism, and Sexism in the Workplace
WOC who face a chilly environment in the engineering workplace are less likely to persist in an engineering career. Reducing microaggressions, racism, and sexism in STEM-centered professional spaces is a necessary prerequisite to create a sense of inclusion and belonging for WOC in engineering. The goals and strategies under Barrier #2 consider how to counteract these antagonists to inclusion.
Strategies to address this barrier include:
- Identify, recommend and consolidate best practices to mitigate biases in selection processes for promotion, leadership, awards and recognition. The WCEC will identify validated strategies to counter systemic biases and ensure consistency in evaluation processes.
- Elevate the profiles of WOC in STEM through high visibility leadership and recognition Utilizing social media, awards, and key positions on the board of directors for professional societies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, the WCEC will highlight the contributions of WOC.
- Provide resources to WOC for self-directed development The WCEC will ensure that WOC have access to resources to sharpen their skills and increase their effectiveness.
Learn more about Barrier #1 on the WCEC website.
Upcoming WCEC Member Events
The WCEC shares the numerous professional activities offered by our member organizations. Member organizations are committed to creating a supportive, encouraging, and inclusive environment for WOC in engineering. Find out more about their events and register to attend!
LatinaVIDA Fireside Chat with Criss Cuervo
Virtual webinar, December 27, 2022, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm PST
Join us for a conversation with Criss Cuervo, Partnerships Manager and Consultant. Criss will chat about The Latina EQ: Culturally Relevant Mindfulness. Learn more & register.
WE Local Conferences
Detroit, MI, February 17-18, 2023
Hartford, CT, March 3-4, 2023
Seattle, WA, March 31-April 1, 2023
WE Local conferences take place around the world and are organized by the Society of Women Engineers to bring together participants in all stages of their collegiate and professional journey. The conferences create space for engineers and partners to connect through professional development sessions, inspirational speakers, networking opportunities, and more. Learn more & register.
ASCE DiscoverE Engineers Week
February 19-25, 2023
ASCE partners with DiscoverE (formerly the National Engineers Week Foundation) to shine a spotlight on engineering. Engineers Week is a time to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world, increase public dialogue about the need for engineers, and bring engineering to life for kids, educators, and parents. Learn more and access materials.
ASEE CoNECD Conference
New Orleans, LA, February 25-28, 2023
The vision of the CoNECD (pronounced, “connected”) Conference is to provide a forum for exploring current research and practices to enhance diversity and inclusion of all underrepresented populations in the engineering and computing professions including gender identity and expression, race and ethnicity, disability, veterans, LGBTQ+, 1st generation and socio-economic status. Learn more & register.
AAAS Annual Meeting
Washington, D.C., March 2-5, 2023
See Plenary and Topical Lectures, Scientific Sessions, Workshops, and more, highlighting the importance of our multiplicity. The 2023 AAAS Annual Meeting will feature multi-disciplinary research that advances knowledge and responds to the needs of humanity. Learn more & register.
TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition
San Diego, CA, March 19-23, 2023
The TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition brings together more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, business leaders, and other professionals in the minerals, metals, and materials fields for a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary exchange of technical knowledge. Learn more & register.
SAMPE Conference
Seattle, WA April 17-20, 2023
SAMPE 2023 Conference and Exhibition is exclusively dedicated to advanced materials and processes. Produced by the North America Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), this event brings together leading companies, engineers, scientists, and professionals from throughout the advanced materials and processes industry. Learn more & register.
AWWA ACE23 National Conference
Toronto, ONT, June 11-14, 2023
ACE, where the water community comes together to learn, connect, and be inspired to solve global water challenges. Be a part of the water revolution that addresses critical issues about the world’s most important resource. Regardless of where you are in your career, there is something for everyone at ACE. Learn more & register.
ASEE National Conference
Baltimore, MD, June 25-28, 2023
The premier event of its kind, the ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition fosters an exchange of ideas; enhances teaching methods and curricula; explores how to manage engagement, retention, and return on learning experiences; and provides unparalleled networking opportunities for engineering and engineering technology education stakeholders, including deans, department chairs, faculty members, researchers, and industry and government professionals. Learn more & register
Call for Participation
Consider presenting at an upcoming event! Member organizations offer the following opportunities for participation.
2023 AISES Leadership Summit
River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 30 - May 2, 2023
Proposal Deadline: February 22, 2023
The AISES Leadership Summit provides personal and career development through leadership training specifically designed for Indigenous students and professionals. AISES is currently seeking engaging and innovative session proposals focused on leadership development designed to support Indigenous college students and professionals on their educational and career journeys. Learn more.
