Written by: Genesis Ventura
At this school year’s Organization Showcase, an event during which students can learn about and join different clubs on campus, about 45 students joined a new club called Women in STEM. The president of this club is Meg Ermer, a junior Spanish and computer science major.
Ermer was inspired to start this club because she noticed fewer women in her computer science classes. “I did feel a bit more lonely in the classes,” Ermer said. “The people weren’t being exclusive, but you just know when you’re the only one of something.”
As a result of her experience, she wanted to create a safe place for women in STEM.
“I was just wondering if other female students on campus might feel that same way and if we could create an environment where they could all support each other, have fun together and encourage each other in a welcoming setting.,” she said.
The club’s current officers are Vice President Ismaly Rodriguez, junior health science major; Secretary Anna Mihaescu, sophomore finance computing major; Treasurer Annaliese Haugen, junior engineering major, Public Relations Coordinator Kate Ermer, freshman engineering major; Pastor Christina Cannon, senior pre med history major; and Social Vice President Jessica Leal, senior biology-research major .
Ermer did not expect so many people to sign up for the club. “To be perfectly honest, we were very pleasantly surprised with how many people signed up,” she said, “For a new club, we might get like maybe five or six people. So we hadn’t really anticipated so many people going in, which we’re very thankful for.”
Freshman pre-speech pathology major Anna Lewis, shared her thoughts on the new club: “I believe that the Women in STEM club is a great way to celebrate those who have similar yet unique experiences throughout STEM-related careers. Not only does it offer an opportunity to create connections for the future, but it also allows for students to find shared excitement and joy in their respective pathways.”
According to Leal, the club is not exclusively for women. “It is called Women in STEM because we want to emphasize the fact that certain groups on campus have been underrepresented, especially in the STEM programs,” Leal said. She also emphasized that this club is for everyone, not just those who are STEM majors.
“The point is just talking about how we can encourage each other and include more underrepresented groups on campus,” Leal said, “whether that’s in the club or offering support to new students or students who have been here and just haven’t felt like they found community yet.”
According to Leal, some activities the club is planning are vespers, community service and Fall Fest.
“I’m excited for the vespers. We’re hoping to have it probably at the Grid at the student center,” Leal said.
To join the club, students must pay a $5 membership fee that will be collected by the end of September. Women in STEM will announce activities on its Instagram @womeninstem.sau.
Ermer said her experience starting and running the club has been a lot of work, but it is rewarding.
“I definitely have a lot of respect for people that are running clubs or any sort of student organization,” Ermer said.
Ermer hopes for Women in STEM to become a more established club on campus in the next couple years.
“In September we would love for more people to sign up,” she said. “We have some pretty fun activities planned for the future, and it would just be a great place to meet everyone.”