Celebrate Women in Engineering at Cornell
Location
Engineering Quad
Description
Join us on campus as we honor the incredible achievements of women engineers at Cornell University. This two-day symposium will bring together alumni, faculty, and students for powerful conversations, dynamic networking, and a chance to connect with a community of trailblazers who are shaping the future of engineering.
140 years ago, Kate Gleason made history as the first woman to study engineering at Cornell. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on our history, celebrate our alumnae's achievements, and ignite essential conversations about the future of STEM.
We hope you can join us!
March 21 & 22, 2025
Engineering Quad, Ithaca Campus
Faculty Hosts
Lara Estroff
Herbert Fisk Johnson Professor of Industrial Chemistry, and
Director of Materials Science and Engineering
Marjolein van der Meulen
Swanson Professor of Biomedical Engineering,
and Associate Vice Provost for Research and Innovation
Keynote Speaker
Jill Tarter '65
Bernard M. Oliver Chair for SETI at the SETI Institute in Mountain View
Saturday, March 22
Sessions will take place in 155 Olin Hall
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast in Duffield Hall, Atrium
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Engineering Herstory: Learning from the Trailblazers
Theme: This panel will explore the evolution of Cornell for women engineers over the decades, sparking a dynamic conversation on how we sustain this progress into the future. Hear from Cornell trailblazers as they share their inspiring personal journeys, the challenges they've faced, and the triumphs that have reshaped the engineering landscape.
Panelists:
Polly Chu MS '90, PhD '94, Business Technology Executive, Corning Incorporated, Retired
Beckie Robertson '82, Partner, Versant Ventures
Jaclyn Spear '74, Program Manager, Department of Energy Nuclear Nonproliferation Program, Retired
Jill Tarter '65, Center for SETI Research, Retired
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Innovation and the Future of Engineering: Women Driving Change
Theme: As the field of engineering evolves, women are not only participating, but leading groundbreaking innovations across various sectors. This panel will feature a diverse group of engineers, thought leaders, and innovators who will share insights and explore how diverse perspectives fuel creativity and drive progress in engineering.
Panelists:
Fazeela Abdul Rashid '01, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, HealthBridge Innovation Fund
Gillian Boehringer ’18, Product Lead, Explo
Malika Grayson MS '14, PhD '16, Founder, STEMinist Empowered, LLC
Myra Ya-Lin Wong '10, M.Eng. '10, Manager, Offshore Wind Turbine Generator, Invenergy LLC
12:15 - 12:30 p.m.
Closing and Farewell
***This symposium was made possible by the generous grant awarded by the President’s Council of Cornell Women (PCCW)***