WiSE Finishes 2019-2020 Strong

From In-Person to Online Programming

WiSE Women of Color in STEM volunteering at the MOST

Amid the disruption from a global pandemic, Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) rounded out the 2019-2020 academic year with multiple online sessions to connect, support, and educate women in STEM at Syracuse University.

WiSE is proud to have organized nearly 50 programs and meetings throughout the year for undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty women in STEM, including nine virtual sessions. Our diverse events provided professional development and learning opportunities, covering a variety of topics, including communication, networking, mentoring, and bias/discrimination.

A WiSE Future Professionals Program participant, Amelia Wedel, stated, “I am very grateful to WiSE for facilitating access to these valuable opportunities. I am also particularly impressed with the program’s commitment to continuing to provide access to professional development for women in academia in the face of a global pandemic which prevented face-to-face seminars and trainings.”

WiSE, for example, hosted a successful online Negotiating Strategies Panel in April with both graduate students and postdocs in attendance. Speakers included Dr. Julie Hasenwinkel, Professor and Chair of the Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Department; Catherine Gerard, Director of the Program for Advancement Research on Conflict and Collaboration; and Syracuse University alumna and former WiSE postdoc Dr. Laurie Newman, Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at Vassar College. The discussion was facilitated by Dr. Samantha England, WiSE Postdocs Advisor.

“I felt that the panel was complete and had different standpoints which were incredibly helpful,” said a participant on a feedback survey. Another shared, “I’m feeling confident that I can negotiate rather than just accept a base offer.”

In-person program highlights from 2019-2020 included: WiSE Women of Color in STEM volunteering at the annual Women in STEM Showcase at the Museum of Science & Technology (photo top); an interactive Myers-Briggs Assessment Workshop led by Dr. Kate Lewis, WiSE Faculty Co-Director and Biology Professor (photo above left); two Scientific Writing Workshops led by Dr. Elizabeth Paley, Instructor for the Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University (photo above right); and a networking Faculty-2-Faculty Lunch (photos below).

  • WiSE faculty lunch participants

Find the full 2019-2020 WiSE programming list below.

WiSE Women of Color in STEM (WWoCS)

  •  Fall Welcome (9/26/19)
  •  Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) (10/23/19)
  •  Group Discussion and Healthy Eating for the Holidays (12/5/19)
  •  Social Hour at Sitrus: Networking Focus (1/16/20)
  •  Personal Statement Drop-In Help (1/22/20)
  •  De-Stress for Spring Semester Success (1/29/20)
  •  Summer Research Opportunities/Internships (2/27/20)
  •  Volunteering at the Museum of Science & Technology: Women in STEM Showcase (3/7/20)
  •  Virtual Social Hours (4/9/20, 4/17/20, 4/23/20)

WiSE Future Professionals Program (WiSE-FPP)

  •  Welcome and Orientation (10/1/19)
  •  Lunch with Dr. Cacey Bester (10/10/19)
  •  Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination: An Introduction to Research, Strategies, and Resources (10/29/19)
  •  Social Hour at Sitrus (11/7/19)
  •  Communication Skills: Conflict Management (11/13/19)
  •  Breakfast with Alyssa Campbell: Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination Follow Up – Case Studies Discussion (11/20/19)
  •  December Dinner Program: Healthy Eating for Busy Students (12/4/19)
  •  Scientific Writing Workshop (1/7/20)
  •  Breakfast with Professor Sarah Woolf-King (1/22/20)
  •  Myers-Briggs Assessment (2/14/20)
  •  Portfolio Prep for Success! Writing an Effective CV/Resume (2/24/20)
  •  Portfolio Prep for Success! Portfolio Reviewer Panel/Q&A (4/14/20)

WiSE Postdoctoral Mentoring Program (WiSE-PDM)

  •  Welcome Lunch and Orientation (10/18/19)
  •  Intro to Networking: Thriving in a Networked World (11/1/19)
  •  Introduction to Mentoring Lunch for WiSE Postdocs and their Mentors (12/20/19)
  •  Scientific Writing Workshop for Postdocs: “The Three C’s” (1/8/20)
  •  Brown Bag Lunch: Speed Networking (1/24/20)
  •  Grant Writing Panel (2/28/20)
  •  Pathway to an NIH Independence Award – K1/K99 (4/7/20)
  •  Negotiating Strategies Panel (4/23/20)
  •  Virtual Meetups/Discussions (5/1/20, 5/15/20, 5/29/20, 6/12/20)
  •  Writing Peer Group (Biweekly meetings during Fall and Spring)

Faculty Programming

  •  New Faculty Lunch (10/3/19)
  •  Lunch and Learn: Teaching Evaluations (11/8/19)
  •  Lunch and Learn: Peer Mentoring Panel (11/15/19)
  •  Faculty-2-Faculty Lunch (12/16/19)

To learn more about WiSE, our programs, and news, please visit the homepage.