Women & Engineering Challenge

“I believe engineering skills and talents are gender neutral. I want to see an end to the idea that a woman is hired into an engineering role because of her gender and not her talent. That is why I support the Women & Engineering Program.”

— Michele Liebman BS ’86

Message from Dean Aaron Bobick

Women & Engineering was established as an organization for engineering alumnae from Washington University in St. Louis to support each other; inspire and mentor our women students; and help shape the McKelvey School of Engineering. As we continue to strengthen these engagements, I am pleased to present the Women & Engineering Challenge in support of a fund that will enable us to enhance the experience of our female students during their time on campus and broaden the opportunities that we are able to offer them. We are deeply grateful to Jan Holloway, MS ’83, and Michele Liebman, BS ’86, for embracing these goals and providing this generous challenge, and we encourage alumni and friends to join us in this important endeavor.

We envision the Women & Engineering organization will develop and promote programming to provide a supportive community for our women Engineering alumni, establish connections to women student organizations within the school, and also participate in STEM outreach targeting female students of all ages. Women & Engineering is a priority that will position the McKelvey School of Engineering as a higher education leader to support a diverse, open and inclusive environment.

I encourage you to participate in the Women & Engineering program as a peer, mentor and donor. Accepting this challenge and joining the William Greenleaf Eliot Society will not only enrich the educational experience of our female students, but also demonstrate your commitment to celebrate female engineers who paved the way, and support future trailblazers in engineering.

Sincerely,
Aaron Bobick
Dean and James M. McKelvey Professor

How the Challenge works

The Women & Engineering Challenge will provide the following for each gift of $1,000 or more, up to a total of $60,000. Gifts must be directed to the Women & Engineering Fund to receive matching dollars.

How Women & Engineering fund gifts are used 

• Provide funding for student organizations that support women in engineering
• Attract the best qualified students from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their financial circumstances
• Offer conferences, internships, career advising and free tutoring for students
• Expand undergraduate internship and job prospects of female engineering students
• Provide expanded networking and mentorship opportunities