College Establishes Women’s Engineering Program to Recruit and Retain Students Universities typically expect some attrition during the first year of studies, particularly in regard to a technologically demanding major, such as engineering. One area many institutions have been addressing is the higher attrition rate of women than men from engineering programs. Notre Dame is no exception. For example, for the Class of 2005, 25 percent of the men and 52 percent of the women enrolled in the engineering program opted out between the beginning of their freshman and start of their sophomore years. Although losing 52 percent of the women in a class sounds alarming, the overall number of undergraduate women in the Notre Dame engineering program is 21 percent; the national average is 19 percent. According to Cathy Pieronek, director of the Women’s Engineering Program (WEP), “Part of the attrition we’re seeing is expected during the first year a student is at the University.” Each engineering intent, male or female, is required to take EG111/112, the first-year course sequence designed to introduce freshmen to engineering. The sequence allows students to explore each engineering discipline offered in the college while also examining the career options available for engineers. “It’s not unusual to experience a 25 percent drop after the first year,” says Pieronek. “The sequence is successful when it helps students decide very early in their careers if engineering is an appropriate choice for them. The problem is that women who would make excellent engineers are also leaving.” Notre Dame and other universities are working to understand the reasons women shy away from engineering, which is why recruitment and retention are two of the key areas on which the WEP is focusing. “Because of the many different reasons for the high attrition rate,” says Pieronek, “there will not be a single solution. But we believe that one of the main factors is the quality of relationships between women engineering students.” Junior mechanical engineering major Michaele Carney agrees. “Being a female engineer is tougher than many people think and not just because of the classes. So few of your friends in the dorm can relate to you on a technical level. When I want to discuss a current project or an interesting fact, they might be excited for me, but they aren’t always as enthusiastic and they don’t understand why I’m excited, like another female engineer would.” Meghan Roe, an officer of the Notre Dame section of the Society of Women Engineers, has experienced the difference a mentoring relationship can make -- both as a freshman and now as a junior chemical engineering student. “When I was a freshman, the junior chemical engineer down the hall from my dorm room was a huge encouragement to me because she was making it through a tough program and seemed to be having a lot of fun. Now I’m able to help freshmen transition from high school to college and give them some additional support. Hopefully, through my actions, they will be able to see the benefits of staying in engineering.” Roe’s sentiments mirror the goals of the WEP, which was established by the College of Engineering in 2002. The program focuses on developing activities that encourage young women in the study of engineering, supporting first-year women engineering students as they enter the college’s program, and providing opportunities for all women engineers to develop leadership skills. “One very valuable thing we can do for the young women in our program,” says Pieronek, “is to share success stories with them. Our alumnae have accomplished remarkable things using their engineering degrees. Upper-level and graduate students can also serve as models and mentors for students. Although we’re a new program, I believe we are well on the way to meeting our goals.” For more information about the WEP, visit http://www.nd.edu/~engwomen.