WiE Newsletter -February 2024 - ISSUE 40
Dr. Shelly Heller
Dr. Megan Leftwich
WiE Director 

Front and Center 


Meet WiE's New Director


WiE is pleased to announce that Dr. Megan Leftwich is the new WiE Director after the retirement of WiE founding Director, Dr. Rachelle Heller. 
 
Dr. Megan Leftwich is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at SEAS.  She joined GW as an Assistant Professor in 2012.  Through the last 12 years she has been an active member of the SEAS community inside and outside the classroom.  Prof. Leftwich has a deep interest in diversity in technical fields and STEM education from the first year through the Ph.D.   She leads a dynamic research program that investigates the fluid mechanics of the natural world.  Through a partnership with the National Zoo (only at GW!) the Leftwich Lab studies how sea lions move through the water quickly and efficiently. In addition to her commitment to the success of women in engineering, Professor Leftwich's research also involves women's health.  She collaborates with the GWU MFA to study the biomechanics of human birth.   You can find her work highlighted in popular media venues including: Wired, CNN's Great Big Story, the Smithsonian Magazine and the New York Times.
Message from the Director
Message From The Director 
I am so honored and excited to be leading the Center for Women in Engineering.  It is especially meaningful to be taking over for Professor Heller.  Shelly was the very first person from GW that I met.  She gave me advice and ushered me through the interview process.  All of us at SEAS owe so much to Shelly, and I am so humbled to try to fill her shoes.

Keep reading to learn about the events of my first semester as the director of WiE.  I also met with so many of the wonderful women of SEAS to find new ways that we can serve our community.  
Dr. Megan Leftwich
Director, SEAS Center for Women in Engineering 
R&D Showcase 2023
The center had a productive first semester with Dr. Leftwich at the helm. WiE collaborted with SEAS office of Graduate Admissions, Advising, and Student Services for a Welcome Tea to welcome new graduate students to SEAS. Cookies with the Director was an opportunity to for Dr. Leftwich to meet graduate and undergraduate students in an informal setting. Dr. Leftwich also held a very informative workshop for PhD students, "Pathway to Academia." See highlights of our fall events below.
WiE Graduate Student Welcome Tea
WiE collaborated with SEAS Graduate Advising for our 2nd Annual WiE Graduate Student Welcome Tea. The event was held on Wednesday, September 20th in the City View Room.

WiE Advisor board member Barbara Flemming came to support the center and to meet some of the incoming graduate students. 

Thank you Barbara and all of the SEAS faculty who joined us at the Welcome Tea! 
GW Women Leading
WiE had a great time handing out stickers and meeting first and second year undergraduate students at the SEAS Student Org. Fair on September 13th and 24th. 

Thank You to the Engineers' Council for inviting us to participate!

 
Mental Health Tabling
Tuesday, October 11th was National Mental Health Awareness Day. WiE had a table in lobby of the SEH  with information regarding resources available to GW students and gave out STEM stickers.
Dr. Leftwich Cookies with the Director
On Wednesday, Oct. 18th WiE had an informal meet and greet with current SEAS undergraduate and graduate students.

Cookies with the Director was an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate studnets to meet new WiE Director, Dr. Megan Leftwich. 

Thank you to all of the students who dropped by. 
salary negotions
On November 2nd Center Director, Dr. Leftwich hosted a workshop for SEAS PhD students "Pathway to Academia." 

Dr. Leftwich gave valuable information and insider knowledge about the application and interview process, how to negotiate salary and benefits package, and the post doc application process. 
Pizza Lunch
On Tuesday, December 5th, the center invited a small group of students who have expressed a desire to become more engaged with the center to lunch to get their thoughts and feedback about how the center can support and engage SEAS students. 

When students were asked what words came to mind when they thought SEAS Center for Women in Engineering they said, "Community, connecting with female faculty and alumnea, and networking." WiE will continue to meet with these students as we plan future events for students.
Pizza Lunch
On Thursday, February 22nd the SEAS Center for Women in Engineering is colllaborating with the Innovation Center, Geroge Hacks, and Dr. Royce Francis to host a Responsible Design Workshop. This interactive workshop will introduce participants to basic principles of human-centered and circular design. No prior design experience is necessary. There will be discussion and hands-on aspects of the workshop. Participants who complete the workshop are eligible to compete for a Responsible Design Prize at the upcoming George Hacks Medical Solutions Hackathon (Feb 24 &25) sponsored by the GW SEAS Center for Women in Engineering. 
Student Spotlight
Introducting WiE SEAS  Student & Alumni Spotlight
Every month WiE will spotlight one SEAS graduate student, one undergraduate student, and SEAS alumna.  The spotlights will be broadcast on the TVs in the SEH and put in our newsletter.  
WiE Graduate Student Spotlight



WiE Undergraduate Student Spotlight

WiE Alumni Spotlight

WiE Tabling

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