by Julie Lineback
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and College Student Affairs Dr. Caroline Perjessy was recently awarded a Campus Action Project (CAP) grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The theme for this year’s grant was the underrepresentation of women in STEM disciplines. Using the grant monies awarded, Dr. Perjessy will team up with College Girls Rock (CGR), a student organization whose mission is to motivate and inspire young girls to pursue a post-secondary education, to host A STEM Day at UWG on Friday, April 15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
“There is a need in this rural community to educate and empower young college-bound females with information related to obtaining a Ph.D. in computing and engineering,” Dr. Perjessy said. “We also hope to demystify misperceptions surrounding the work-life balance of female Ph.D.s.”
Employment in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) fields remain some of the most prominent and sought after in the economy today, according to U.S. News & World Report. However, AAUW reports that women remain underrepresented and underpaid. Dr. Perjessy and CGR hope to address this shortage by inviting female high school seniors to the one-day event and encourage them to consider obtaining a Ph.D.
Although hosted at UWG, the workshop will showcase various graduate programs in computing and engineering with representatives from local private and public universities. There, attendees will learn about graduate program costs, student loan information, admission requirements, and housing and career options. The day will wrap up with a panel discussion where female professionals will discuss how to balance work-life and share their stories of how they obtained their Ph.D.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls.
“It’s very meaningful to me that the CAP grant was awarded to UWG,” said Dr. Perjessy. “We have many talented young women in our community who could benefit from education and empowerment related to their future career goals. College Girls Rock is an amazing student organization that does significant outreach at UWG and in the community. I’m proud of them and the work they do. I feel lucky to have such a wonderful student organization to collaborate with.”
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