Did you know that there are 1,026 community colleges in the United States alone that educate 1.6 million STEM students each semester, according to 2023 data compiled in a report by the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University? What’s more, this population represents more than one-quarter of all U.S. STEM students. Yet community college students are often excluded from conversations around broadening participation in STEM, particularly in the fields of engineering and computer science (ECS).
To better understand this issue and provide a solution, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) conducted a phased research study of ECS transfer students to understand the success of women and minority students on this pathway towards a baccalaureate degree.
Findings from this research led to the development of SWE’s Community College Affiliate Support and Expansion (CCASE) Program. CCASE aims to increase support for SWE Community College Affiliates across the United States by providing direct financial and membership incentives to facilitate professional development and outreach activities.
One of those SWE affiliates is the SWE San Diego Mesa College Affiliate in California. Learn more about this upstart affiliate and their on-campus work!
Please Share a Brief History of Your SWE Affiliate. When Was It Founded? How Many Members Do You Have?
SWE San Diego Mesa College Affiliate (SWE Mesa) was founded in 2024 by a small, but mighty and passionate, group of four women. The group quickly blossomed into a supportive community of 15 official members, dedicated to empowering women in engineering. Throughout the past two years, SWE Mesa has reached over 90 San Diego Mesa College students, with the mission to reach much more.
How Often Do You Meet? Can You Describe a Typical Meeting?
SWE Mesa has official general body meetings bimonthly with additional events throughout the year to further foster connections. The purpose of our official meetings is to build community and share transformative opportunities. We discuss how we can continue to reflect SWE’s mission and values with our club. SWE Mesa’s events are typically themed and focus on empowerment. Our mission is to guide members through their journey as students and aspiring engineers. With our LinkedIn workshops, for instance, our members can interact directly with experts and jumpstart their professional brands. Women in STEM panels also provide additional opportunities to connect with professionals and learn more about members’ intended fields. Moreover, engineering workshops (e.g., SolidWorks) allow us to sponsor talented members and further uplift women in engineering. It is our duty to equip our members with the skills necessary for their future internships and, ultimately, engineering careers.
How Do You Attract New Members and Keep Them Engaged Throughout the Year?
SWE Mesa works endlessly to attract new members and keep them engaged. We participate in San Diego Mesa College’s yearly club rush, bringing interactive experiences and goodies to Mesa students. To build an inclusive and diverse space, we collaborate with different Mesa clubs and host fun social mixers. Members are also encouraged to be active within the community, through volunteering and outreach. So, SWE Mesa advertises countless opportunities for members to explore, from SWE San Diego and other nonprofits. Finally, SWE conferences are amazing at attracting new members; travelling and attending engineering conferences are incredibly exciting!
What Are Your Community College Affiliate Goals for the Remainder of the School Year?
Our goal for the remainder of the school year is to build strong connections with more organizations, such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and our sister clubs (e.g., SWE UCSD, SWE SDSU). We are also focused on attracting new members and leading more engineering workshops.
How Does the CCASE Program Help Your SWE Affiliate Accomplish These Goals?
The CCASE Program has significantly impacted SWE Mesa by expanding financial and professional opportunities. Through its support, our members were able to attend WE Local in Portland, Oregon, gaining valuable exposure to professionals and engineering careers. Moreover, the program has enabled us to relaunch our remote-controlled boat project, providing us with hands-on engineering experience to include on our resume. Overall, the financial support has brought countless opportunities that we, community college students, are deeply thankful for.
Is There Anything Else About the SWE San Diego Mesa College Affiliate You Would Like to Share With the SWE Community?
We are so grateful for the supportive community that SWE fosters. It never fails to inspire us to boldly strive for our goals as women engineers. SWE Mesa is proud to be SWE-affiliated!
