In response to the increasing number of executive and administrative orders limiting university-supported diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has established a temporary Advisory Council. This group is charged with providing strategic guidance and support to collegiate sections and affiliates who are navigating these complex and often disheartening restrictions.
While the Advisory Council will focus specifically on collegiate members, SWE’s efforts extend to all members at every stage of their career. The society remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering women in engineering and technology — especially in the face of growing legislative efforts that aim to restrict DEI initiatives at educational institutions.
Meet SWE’s Advisory Council
Bringing together a diverse team of leaders and stakeholders from across the organization — collegiate students, academic faculty, affinity group leaders, Leadership Coaching Committee leaders, and SWE Board of Directors members — the Advisory Council will ensure representation from both impacted and non-impacted regions, providing a holistic view of the challenges facing our community.
- Claire Dvorak | Leadership Coaching Committee, Immediate Past Chair
- Allie Huszcza | Undergraduate Student, Section President, Virginia Tech
- Gisella Lamas | Women in Academia, University of Kentucky – Paducah campus
- Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh | Affinity Group, Community Colleges Co-Lead
- Jenny Tsao | Affinity Group, Public Policy Lead
- Sam Basu | Affinity Group, Public Policy
- Elizabeth Vargis | Faculty Member, Utah State University
- Silvia Karlsson | SWE Board, Treasurer
- Vidhya Thiyagarajan | SWE Board, Collegiate Director
- Michele Lezama | SWE Board, Special Director, DEI&B
- Nicola Mohan | SWE Staff, Senior Manager, DEI&B
- Roberta Rincon | SWE Staff, Director, Research and Impact
- Tiffany Swanigan | SWE Staff, VP Operations
The Advisory Council will work closely with SWE HQ to develop and implement a multifaceted support strategy, outlining both immediate and long-term action plans aimed at preserving the vitality and continuity of at-risk collegiate sections and affiliates. Strategies include:
- Independent Operating Models: Creating structures for collegiate sections to function outside university systems, with guidance on legal and financial logistics.
- Professional Section Partnerships: Connecting at-risk collegiate groups with local professional sections for shared resources and mentorship.
- Resource Toolkits: Developing templates and guidance to support operations beyond traditional campus frameworks while staying connected to SWE.
- Advocacy Support: Identifying safe, compliant ways for members to engage in advocacy without jeopardizing their status.
- Sustainable Funding: Exploring diverse funding sources, including philanthropic and corporate support, to replace lost university funding.
Why This Matters
Recent legislative and executive actions across the U.S. are reshaping the landscape for DEI in higher education, with far-reaching implications for student organizations.
These directives have led to the reduction or elimination of DEI offices, event restrictions, and even efforts to disband student groups focused on supporting historically underserved populations.
For collegiate SWE sections and affiliates, this creates real, immediate challenges: disrupted programming, funding limitations, administrative scrutiny, and a loss of the critical community they’ve worked so hard to build.
What’s Next
The Advisory Council has committed to meeting weekly to develop and execute strategies in real-time including:
- Data Collection: A survey has been sent to collegiate presidents and treasurers to understand the scope of restrictions and needs.
- Focus Groups: We’ll hear directly from impacted members to shape the most effective and relevant solutions.
- Support Models: The Advisory Council will propose and test multiple action pathways to meet diverse section needs.
SWE members can reach out to SWE directly at strongertogether@swe.org with questions.
To learn more about SWE’s commitment to advocating for gender parity, equity, and opportunity in STEM, read SWE Call to Action Amid Administrative Executive Orders.
