As SWE president, I have enjoyed representing the Society at a variety of events in Washington, D.C., during the course of this fiscal year. Most recently, I represented SWE at the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES) meeting, and attended the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) convocation and Engineering Policy Symposium on Capitol Hill. The two themes of the NAE convocation, The Coming Democratization of Design and Manufacturing and America’s Infrastructure, resonated with me and all attendees. The themes emphasized the need for innovation and partnerships across engineering disciplines to further advance manufacturing in the United States and ensure the country’s infrastructure is safe as well as prepared for natural and other disasters.

At the AAES meeting there were updates from the engineering workforce commission (EWC), strategic discussions on membership and governance and report outs from working groups’ progress in areas of STEM, lifelong learning and engineering grand challenges. I have represented SWE at three AAES meetings, and am impressed that we sit at the table, bring a valued opinion and collaborate with significantly larger organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers USA (IEEE-USA). SWE is a valued partner and continues to lead discussions on the value of diversity to create an innovative workforce.

While in Washington, D.C., I also had the opportunity to attend the AAES awards banquet. More specifically, I was delighted to present on behalf of SWE the Kenneth Andrew Roe award to Noha S. El-Ghobashy, President of Engineering for Change (E4C). The AAES Kenneth Andrew Roe award recognizes an engineer who has been effective in promoting unity among the engineering societies. Noha’s citation read, “For fostering collaboration among engineering societies to deliver multi-disciplinary, sustainable solutions to address quality of life challenges in global underserved communities.” SWE is a proud sponsor of Engineering for Change, and further information on the collaborative efforts to solve global issues can be found here.

Speaking of collaboration, I appreciate the efforts of the FY13 Board of Directors and Senate in creating the new strategic plan. The new long-range strategic plan will be rolled out in July and is more straightforward than the current strategic plan. Rather than five goals and numerous objectives under each goal, there are a total of three strategic goals and nine supporting strategic objectives the Board of Directors will carry out during the next several fiscal years. With focus on professional excellence, globalization and advocacy, I am looking forward to the future aspirations, advancements and achievements of the Society.

I am also looking forward to summer and the end of the academic year. I will be celebrating my daughter’s “graduation” from kindergarten and son’s completion of second grade when the school year concludes the first week of June. With the snow in Minnesota finally gone, I am also celebrating the warmer weather and start of the recreational baseball season. I have enjoyed watching my son’s baseball team and look forward to cheering on both my children in their soccer games later this summer.

As the fiscal year is quickly coming to a close, I wish you well in your final exams of the academic year, upcoming travels and a lifetime of opportunity in your future endeavors.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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It has been an amazing winter for SWE.  We received the prestigious Henry C. Turner Prize for innovation in construction technology, held two successful Wow! That’s Engineering signature events in Hawaii and SW Central Indiana and hosted a dynamic Capitol Hill Day with 35 diversity co-sponsors.  This winter 10 lively region conferences were held throughout the United States.  I was able to attend three region conferences this year, and finally completed my goal of attending all ten region conferences.  I have enjoyed the local traditions and cuisine of each region, and appreciated the hospitality in Region A, H and I this winter.  At each of these regions conferences, I became more energized for WE13 in Baltimore.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to “Make Connections, Make History” at the annual conference.  WE13 will be held Oct. 24-26 with many new and returning favorite features.  The SWE application for iPhones and Android phones will be back and enhanced with the ability to ask real time questions during sessions.  The 20-minute lightning talks are also back, which provide a succinct overview of a specific project or research.  New this year is two keynote speakers; there will be an opening keynote speaker and a keynote speaker at Celebrate SWE.  Look for more details on this and the entire conference on the recently launched WE13 website.

In March, 24 SWE leaders took part in Capitol Hill Day, along with members of the 35 diversity co-sponsor organizations.  At a Capitol Hill Day reception, I was honored to present Phil Hamilton with SWE’s President Award.  Mr. Hamilton recently retired as ASME’s Managing Director for Public Affairs and Outreach.  His insights, expertise and support were key to SWE creating a strong public policy program since its inception in 2003.  I am delighted to recognize Mr. Hamilton’s leadership and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, as well as the long partnership between ASME and SWE.  Thank you Mr. Hamilton for the partnership and support to develop, grow and fortify SWE’s impact on policies and attitudes that improve diversity in STEM.

In addition to continuing to make an impact on diversity and STEM initiatives on Capitol Hill, SWE and its members are making an impact on social media.  SWE recently reached 15,000 likes on Facebook.  I encourage you to continue posting section events, recognizing members and promoting SWE on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and other social media sites.  I also encourage you to take part in the Society’s election, which runs from April 1 through May 1.  Each year fewer than 10 percent of members vote in the Society’s election, and with several contested positions, your vote matters.  Check out the enhanced election site.

Have a fantastic spring, and continue leveraging your SWE membership for a Lifetime of Opportunity.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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During the past month several exciting events have taken place in Washington, D.C., the most exciting of which was SWE receiving the prestigious Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction Technology.  SWE was recognized as a “driving force in bringing women into engineering careers through training, networking, scholarships, and outreach” as stated by Janice L. Tuchman, editor-in-chief of Engineering News-Record and Turner Prize juror.  In accepting the award, SWE CEO Betty Shanahan delivered a presentation that described the need for a diverse and inclusive workforce to fuel an innovative workplace.  She ended her thoughts with sharing Turner Construction Company’s diversity and inclusion mission statement, which aligns with SWE’s mission and core values.  Turner fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion in which all employees contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, and have the opportunity to grow. Our diverse and inclusive workforce positions the company to grow, enhances our presence in diverse markets, and helps us build enduring relationships with each other, industry partners, and our clients. It is an honor to be recognized by a company that values diversity and inclusion.  Congratulations and thank you to SWE members, leaders and supporters for your phenomenal contributions to SWE and the field of construction technology. 

In addition to receiving the Turner Prize, SWE had the privilege of attending the White House Tech Inclusion Summit and the State of Science Technology, Engineering and Math Address in Washington, D.C.,  During the White House Tech Inclusion Summit, thought leaders from business, government and non-profit organizations converged to network and learn about five new initiatives to grow training, education and job opportunities in technology.  One initiative, America 2020, has an aggressive goal of 20 percent of technical employees in American companies mentoring and teaching youth about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by the year 2020.  This initiative will kickoff later this year in eight pilot cities.  Another initiative, CS Online, is a new platform under development from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to train teachers at public high schools and community colleges in web-based programming languages.  The NSF is developing curriculum for a new Computer Science Advanced Placement Program (AP), and pilot schools have been identified to teach the course.  The new curriculum and AP exam are expected to roll out across the country in 2016.  The CS Online initiative along with the other initiatives announced at the Summit will introduce millions of American students to technology and STEM career options by the year 2020.  

In February, SWE also attended the first-ever White House State of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (SoSTEM) event.  SoSTEM was held the day after the President’s State of the Union address and focused on the Administration’s STEM priorities.  Representatives from government, industry and non-profit organizations were in attendance, as well as DC-area students.  During SoSTEM, the students networked and asked policy questions of Administration officials and innovation leaders, including the President’s science and technology adviser, the NASA Mars Curiosity Flight Director and the iTriage CEO.

The opportunities for SWE in Washington, D.C., continue through March with the upcoming “Diversity and Inclusion Fuels Innovation in STEM” Congressional Visit Day.  On March 20-21, SWE is once again organizing this event, which is focused on the importance of a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.  Thirty-four STEM and diversity organizations are co-sponsoring this event, which is expected to draw approximately 75 attendees, more than 20 of whom are SWE leaders.  While the registration is closed for the 2013 Congressional Visit Day, I encourage you to participate next year or visit with your Senators and U.S. Representative locally to raise visibility and support for engineering and STEM education.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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Celebrate Awesome is the 2013 theme of Engineers Week in the United States.  With this theme, it is the perfect opportunity to celebrate women in engineering and technology, and you.  EWeek, Feb. 17-23, is also the ideal time to plan an outreach event.  “Introduce a girl to Engineering Day” is Feb. 21, and events and resources are located on the EWeek Web site.  During EWeek, consider hosting an event at a local children’s museum, science museum or zoo.  Host a networking event with collegiate and professional members.  Visit a local school and share your journey and experience as an engineer, describing how engineers shape the future.  Explore SWE’s ASPIRE Web site for activities, experiments and outreach events to inspire students of all ages. 

It is easy to introduce your children, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews to engineering in everyday activities.  For example, I discuss solids, liquids and processing steps when trying to perfect banana bread or chocolate chip cookies with my five and seven year old, or when we make our own play dough.  My kids love building forts, and the bigger the better with materials found around the house.  Through these activities, my daughter and son are beginning to problem solve, and understand the requirements and tradeoffs from making the ideal molding medium with play dough to constructing a multi-level structure.  Use the tools and resources available on the SWE and EWeek Web sites to introduce a girl to engineering today. 

If your section doesn’t have an outreach activity planned for EWeek, consider organizing an event in March to celebrate Women’s History Month.  The 2013 theme of Women’s History Month in the United States is “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics” (STEM).  Build on this theme and recognize the important women in your life and inspire the next generation of engineers through SWE awards and scholarships.  Acknowledge leaders within your section, university or company through an individual award nomination.  SWE individual award packages are due March 31.  Freshman scholarship applications are accepted through May 15.  Also remember to speak with local and regional leaders for further SWE scholarship and award opportunities in your area.

In addition to Women’ History Month, International Women’s Day is celebrated each March.  On March 8, women around the world will celebrate their economic, political and social achievements, as well as the continued drive for change.  I encourage you take advantage of SWE programs and services, to introduce a girl to engineering as well as to recognize the teachers, mentors and role models that made your engineering dreams possible. This February and March, I also encourage you to share your story, all that you’ve achieved on your own terms, and continue to Celebrate Awesome and your lifetime of opportunities.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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SWE All Together January 2013

Happy 2013!  I hope that you had a fantastic holiday season.  I enjoyed time with my family and friends; especially the time spent playing board games and Legos, baking cookies and ice skating with my five year old daughter and seven year old son.  As we kick off the second half of the fiscal year, I look forward to new possibilities.  Specifically, I look forward to the opportunities to learn and connect at region conferences, and to celebrate success as SWE receives the prestigious Henry C. Turner Prize.

Region conferences in the United States kick off with the weekend of February 1 with the Region C conference in Dallas, Texas, and wrap up with the Region F and J conferences the weekend of April 5, in Storrs, Connecticut, and Lacey, Washington, respectively.  This fiscal year, several regions will once again provide continuing education (CEU) credits in conjunction with their conference.  Each region is hosting a diversity and inclusion session, and graduate student sessions are being planned at most conferences.  With technical tours, career fairs and workshops relevant to multiple career stages, region conferences have something for everyone.  Check the SWE website for the date and location of a region conference near you.  If you’re not able to attend a region conference, it’s not too early to start planning for WE13.  The call for participation is now open for the annual conference, which will be held October 24-26 in Baltimore, Maryland. 

In February, the Society will receive the Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction Technology.  This Prize recognizes advances or high achievement in the process of construction – an invention, an innovative methodology, and/or exemplary leadership.  SWE is receiving the Turner Prize for the Society’s focus on STEM and inclusion to ensure a strong, diverse engineering workforce.  Betty Shanahan, SWE’s Executive Director and CEO, will discuss recruiting, retaining and advancing  women in STEM professions at the event, as well as how a diverse work force results in a more productive and creative workplace.  The Turner Prize will be presented on Tuesday, February 5, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.  If you’re in the area, I encourage you to attend this event from 6:30 – 8 pm.  Prepaid registration is required; walk in registration is based on availability.  See the SWE website for further information.

With the start of the calendar year, I always resolve to exercise more, eat less sugar and participate in more local SWE events and SWE webinars.  Whatever new resolutions or possibilities you consider in 2013, I hope you take advantage of all that SWE has to offer.   This winter or spring, consider attending a local event or a region conference to make inspirational connections, engage in lifelong learning and celebrate successes.  Here’s to a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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SWE All Together December 2012

I cannot believe its December!  I’m looking forward to reconnecting, rejuvenating and relaxing with family and friends over the holidays, as well as having the opportunity to say thanks and reminisce about recent successes.  I am still in awe of the record breaking attendance at the WE12 conference, with over 6400 attendees from 26 countries, as well as the record number of exhibitors (266) at the Career Fair.  The energy at WE12 was contagious and opportunities endless.  My conference highlights included meeting numerous role models including keynote speaker Dr. Ellen Ochoa, achievement award recipient Dr. Yildiz Bayazitoglu (a.k.a Dr. B.), and collegiate and professional SWE leaders.

Another conference highlight was the celebration of Betty Shanahan’s ten year anniversary as SWE’s Executive Director and CEO.  In addition to a video and top ten list highlighting many of her exceptional accomplishments, the Betty Shanahan scholarship was announced at Celebrate SWE.  This new one time only scholarship will be awarded to a graduate student in FY14.  Donations for the scholarship may be sent to SWE headquarters or submitted online.  (Please designate the contribution is for the Betty Shanahan scholarship.)

Also at Celebrate SWE, I was delighted to announce the Society will receive the Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction Technology.  This Prize recognizes advances or high achievement in the process of construction – an invention, an innovative methodology, and/or exemplary leadership.  The Turner Prize is honoring SWE for the Society’s focus on STEM and inclusion to ensure a strong, diverse engineering workforce.  The Prize will be presented on Tuesday, February 5, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.  If you’re in the area, I encourage you to attend this event.

Successes such as the WE12 conference and receiving the prestigious Turner Prize would not be possible without you.  Thank you SWE members, volunteers, leaders, sponsors and staff for your time, accomplishments and funding over the past calendar year.  With your support the Society continues to inspire and positively impact future and current women engineers and the engineering profession.  Also, thank you to the Board of Directors for the collaboration and countless hours spent furthering SWE’s mission.

Finally, thank you to my family and friends for your patience, kindness and support.  I am looking forward to playing games, baking cookies and ice skating with my daughter (age 5), son (age 7) and husband over the winter break.  I also look forward to getting together with family and friends for good food and conversation.  This holiday season I hope that you have time to reconnect, rejuvenate and relax.  Season’s Greetings!

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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The WE12 conference theme exemplified my favorite annual conference activities: making inspirational connections, engaging in lifelong learning and celebrating successes.  Thank you to the sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, leaders and staff that made the WE12 conference possible and an overwhelming success with a record breaking 6,430 attendees!

Houston was a great backdrop for the dynamic annual conference that included a selection of technical and sightseeing tours around the city, as well as numerous activities in the convention center.  The third annual Invent It. Build It. outreach event for middle school girls, parents and educators took place at WE12.  The largest career fair for women in engineering included over 260 companies, government agencies and graduate schools.  The Lava Lounge was open for networking, relaxing, and creating fun photos and luggage tags amid the conference sessions, tours, and special events. 

With numerous meetings and activities to attend throughout the annual conference, I appreciated the app “Explore WE12”.  SWE’s first annual conference application allowed me to build my daily schedule, receive reminders and take notes to customize my conference experience.  I browsed speakers’ biographies, reviewed session materials and found the location of exhibitors on my “Explore WE12” app.  If you didn’t download the SWE conference application to your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Android device, I encourage you do so next year for the WE13 conference in Baltimore. 

At WE12, I was excited to see all the collaboration between engineers from multiple generations, geographies and genres. Passion for engineering and SWE was contagious at the annual conference, and if you were unable to attend WE12 in Houston, consider participating in the conference virtually.  The keynote presentation, plenary sessions and many popular educational sessions are available virtually, and many of the online sessions are accredited with CEUs and PDH credits.

In addition to celebrating energy and opportunity at the WE12 conference, we celebrated Betty Shanahan’s ten years of service at Celebrate SWE! As the first engineer and longest leader to serve as SWE’s Executive Director and CEO, Betty has established SWE as the “go to” organization on the advancement of women in engineering.  She formed partnerships with countless diversity and engineering associations including SHPE, NSBE, AISES, JWIN, APWEN and expanded SWE’s international footprint.  Betty established the gold standard for professional development, including webinars, CEU credits and the Smith program.  There is no one more passionate or a stronger advocate for SWE and STEM education than Betty. Thank you for all you do Betty, and congratulations on all of your successes and firsts over the past ten years including the record setting firsts at WE12 in Houston.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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The cool, fresh, crisp air signifies fall, and the start of many of my favorite fall activities. I recently enjoyed attending the homecoming football game at the high school where my husband teaches and chaperoning my daughter’s field trip to the apple orchard.  Another one of my favorite fall activities is connecting with old and new friends at the annual SWE conference, as well as participating in the November election.  I requested my absentee ballot. If you’ll be in transit or attending SWE pre-conference meetings on November 6, remember to request an absentee ballot participate in the 2012 Presidential election.

The annual SWE conference kicks off in Houston with an ice cream social and networking event on November 7.  The conference will include professional development sessions for a multitude of audiences, including women in academia, women in government, undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, entrepreneurs, SWE leaders, emerging and senior technical professionals, and executives.  The third annual Invent It. Build It. outreach event will take place at the WE12 conference, as well as recognition of SWE’s award recipients at the Achievement Awards Reception and Banquet and Celebrate SWE!  Collaboration will occur throughout conference during the Lightning Talk sessions, at the Lava Lounge and with social entrepreneurs at the Engineering for Change (E4C) event.  It is not too late to register for the conference, and participate in opportunities for career enhancement, make inspirational connections, and recognize outstanding individual, section and region accomplishments.  WE12 registration continues online through November 5, and on-site conference registration is available after November 5.

While I look forward to the energy and opportunities of WE12, in September I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the launch of the Equal Futures Partnership.  This historic event took place on September 24 with Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, and dignitaries from the twelve founding partner countries, including presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers from countries such as Finland, Bangladesh, and Jordan.  Each founding nation made specific commitments to expand women’s political and economic participation by improving conditions in one or more of the following areas: (1) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), (2) domestic violence, (3) entrepreneurship, and (4) civic engagement.  It was moving and motivational to hear the commitments made by the founding countries, as well as the President of the World Bank and a representative from the UN Women’s commission.

U.S. commitments to expand the participation of women and girls in STEM include:

• Improving data collection and dissemination, which is being led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Agriculture;
• Building a skilled mentor pool, which is being led by the Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
• Promoting research-based STEM learning, which is being led by Discovery Education; and,
• Improving access to online/mobile STEM skills training, which is being led by Connect2Compete, a nonprofit organization launched by the Federation Communications Commission (FCC), as well as NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey.

The goal of the Equal Futures Partnership is “for women to participate fully in public life and to lead and benefit from inclusive economic growth” in the U.S. and around the world. Founding partners (Australia, Benin, Bangladesh, Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Peru, Senegal, and Tunisia; as well as the European Union) “will continue consultations with their national stakeholders, including civil society, to translate commitments into action.” In April 2013, the Partnership will gather again at the World Bank spring meetings to report on progress and welcome new member countries.

In addition to having the honor of representing SWE at the launch of the Equal Futures Partnership, I was honored to sit next to the 2012 Google Science fair grand prize winner, Brittany Wenger, and her mother at the event.  Brittany plans to double major in computer science and biology and is primed to help women with her software tool that allows physicians to assess breast cancer tumors with a minimally-invasive procedure. Not only was I inspired by the obligations and commitments made by the Equal Futures Partnership founding countries to promote and protect women’s fundamental freedoms and human rights, I was inspired by the Google Science fair grand prize winner and her groundbreaking research.

I hope that you make the most of your inspiration connections and opportunities at the annual SWE conference, as well as take time to participate in your favorite fall activities and the upcoming Presidential election.  I look forward to seeing you in Houston at WE12 for “three days of energy, and a lifetime of opportunity”.

Click for more information about the Equal Futures Partnership.
For more information on WE12, please click here.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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SWE leadership kicks off each fiscal year with a new theme and set of operational goals for the Society.  I am delighted with this year’s theme “A Lifetime of Opportunity,” as SWE has provided me countless opportunities over my eighteen years of membership, including lifelong learning, inspirational connections and personal success.

I am equally delighted about the operational goals the Board of Directors has defined for the fiscal year.  All of the FY13 goals will be detailed by your section, region and MAL leadership in the coming weeks and months.  I am going to highlight a few of the operational goals that represent special opportunities.

Outreach: The outreach committee is working to expand SWE’s pre-college offerings with pilot groups, mentors and event-in-a-box activities.   The pre-college initiatives will provide new opportunities to inspire students to pursue engineering degrees.  In addition to rolling out new pre-college offerings, SWE is rolling out a new outreach tool this year--SWEeter Futures. This unique online portal tracks individual member volunteer hours.  Volunteer hours may include activities such as judging a science fair, volunteering in your child’s classroom or having a high school student shadow you in class or at work for the day.  SWEeter Futures will allow the Society to measure the collective impact of individual outreach volunteerism, and the Society’s ability to make engineering an exciting and achievable career choice for K-12 students.

Professional Excellence:  SWE leadership celebrates members’ personal and professional successes both inside and out of SWE, showcasing the strength of the Society’s roles models.  In FY13, the Board of Directors and Region Governors will create and implement best practices for recognizing and communicating members’ accomplishments to all SWE members and their employers.  In fact, I’d like to recognize you, a friend or colleague for an engineering accomplishment.  If you have received an award or recognition for your contributions in engineering, please contact swenews@swe.org to be featured in the next issue of All Together.

Inclusive Global Community:  The Board of Directors, Succession Planning Task Force and Region Governors are working to strengthen succession planning and mentoring to ensure the SWE leadership pipeline is filled with diverse and qualified candidates to fulfill the Society’s mission.  While SWE currently does not have a formal, structured mentoring program, I encourage you to reach out to your section president, MAL representative or Region Governor if you’re interesting in mentoring or succession planning for the next steps in your SWE, collegiate or professional career.

Membership: As the Society moves from a national to a global focus, I am pleased that the Board of Directors and FY13 leaders will more inclusively engage and include international members in SWE’s committees, programs, leadership opportunities and communications.  For example, two international Senators currently serve in the Senate, the first international SWE Future Leader attended the Collegiate Leadership Forum in August and SWE just hosted its first symposium in Bangalore, India.  These activities and accomplishments are a thrilling beginning for a lifetime of opportunity for international collegiate and professional members and SWE.

Now that I have highlighted a few of the FY13 key operational goals, I need your assistance.  SWE is a vibrant, active organization.  I ask for your engagement and support in accomplishing all of our operational goals this fiscal year.  Together we’ll demonstrate SWE can –  and does – provide a lifetime of opportunity!

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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A new beginning, a new perspective, a new opportunity; the new school year brings many new possibilities. As the summer comes to an end, I often reflect and reminisce on the past year and look forward to the potential ahead. We multiplied the momentum in FY12, and I would like to thank SWE leaders again for your time and talent resulting in another successful fiscal year.  Congratulations to Betty Shanahan, Executive Director and CEO, on being named one of “100 women leaders in STEM.”  Congratulations also to Anne Perusek, Director of Editorial and Publications, as SWE Magazine received five APEX awards for publication excellence including the Grand Award, Magazines and Journals.

In addition to new beginnings, the new school year brings new checklists.  As your section and region kicks off FY13 activities, consider sharing the following checklist with your members.

1. Renew SWE membership
2. Register for WE12, SWE’s Annual Conference
3. Attend a section event (to connect with old friends and meet new SWEsters)

In addition to my SWE “to do” list, I am busy preparing my kids’ back-to-school list. This fall my daughter starts kindergarten, my son starts second grade and my husband resumes work as a high school math teacher and coach. With the hustle and bustle of a new school year, in addition to making lists, I make time to reconnect with old friends, colleagues and mentors.  These connections feed my soul and help me contemplate new perspectives and opportunities.  Consider adding a conversation with your mentor or mentee to your back-to-school checklist.  I’m sure they will be delighted to hear from you.

Throughout FY13 there will be numerous occasions to celebrate and leverage new beginnings, perspectives and opportunities. SWE is hosting its first symposium in Bangalore, India, later this month. Participants from industry and academia will collaborate and discuss engineering advancements and challenges across disciplines and countries. In November we’ll meet in Houston for WE12 to celebrate our successes, make inspirational connections and continue lifelong learning. In March 2013, we will further celebrate our accomplishments and opportunities during US Women’s History Month. The theme this year is, “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”

As you seize a new opportunity, create a checklist or connect with a mentor, I encourage you to leverage your SWE membership for new beginnings, new perspectives and a lifetime of opportunity.

Alyse Stofer
FY13 SWE President
president@swe.org

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