Across campus, students in science, technology, engineering, and math, better known as STEM, are finding community, confidence and support through the Women in STEM Club. The club began last year and was created to connect and empower women pursuing degrees in male-dominated fields. The club started as a small idea and has grown into a close-knit place for collaboration and confidence-building.
“The club empowers women in male-dominated fields by meeting each week and doing these activities together to show we’re all in it together and we all share that common factor,” said senior Gabriela Valotto, president of Women in STEM.
Contributed by Eileen Duffy, ’27
Valotto helped found the organization after noticing a gap on campus.
“I noticed that we had a Women in Business club, a Women in Cybersecurity club, but we didn’t have a Women in STEM club,” said Valotto. “The club’s mission is to provide support and community for all the women in STEM on campus in these difficult majors.”
Meetings are held every two weeks on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and balance learning with hands-on fun.
“Meetings consist of a short PowerPoint presentation where we go over a little STEM lesson for the activity we’re doing for the week,” said Valotto.
Junior Eileen Duffy, secretary of Women in STEM said the activities make meetings both educational and enjoyable.
“Every week we choose a famous woman in the STEM community to add to our mini lesson,” said Duffy. “This allows our members to be inspired by other women in an effort to gain confidence in themselves.”
Duffy’s favorite memory so far was a chemistry-inspired slime night.
“We taught a mini chemistry lesson,” said Duffy. “It was interesting because we also had several men attend the meeting. I think in order to have women feel supported in a male-dominated field, it’s important to create a community where men are also actively supporting them.”
The club is open to all students who are interested in STEM.
“Anyone is allowed to join or even just show up to meetings, and we can add them to the email list that way,” said Valotto.
Junior and Vice President Elle Lombardo said watching the club grow has been one of the best parts of her role. Lombardo said her favorite part of serving as vice president is coming up with new ideas and meeting new members.
“It’s amazing to see how our members react to different experiments and meetings,” said Lombardo.
Lombardo said the club plans to bring in guest speakers next semester.
“I think this club helps support and empower women in STEM because it gives our members a community of females also going out into the STEM world,” said Lombardo.
Dr. Emily Mane, chemistry professor and faculty advisor of Women in STEM, said she was excited when students first approached her about starting the organization.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for women who are interested in STEM fields and careers to get together, support each other, and build community,” said Mane.
Mane said that the mix of friendship and learning is what makes the club special.
“The members and attendees are friends with each other,” said Mane. “They get to know each other, spend time, and those friendship networks become strong and supportive.”
The Women in STEM Club’s next meeting is Nov. 18 at 8 p.m., featuring blanket making to be donated to a local children’s hospital, followed by a marble painting event on Dec. 2 to close the semester.
As the club continues to grow, Valotto said its mission remains simple.
“I think this organization is important on campus to give the women in these STEM fields the outlet to know they are not alone and that they have others in the same boat as them,” said Valotto.
To learn more about the club or if you have an interest in joining, visit @SHU_WomeninSTEM on Instagram.
