WVXU: STEM workforce is growing, but diversity still lags
UC associate dean says work remains to reach gender parity
WVXU's Cincinnati Edition talked to an associate dean at the University of Cincinnati about the gender gap in STEM fields.
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Associate Dean Whitney Gaskins said women represent more than half of college graduates in the United States. But there is still a gender gap in many science, technology, engineering and math fields, Gaskins said.
At UC, women represent about 23% of enrollment in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science, she said.
“It’s even less when you think of women of color. I was the only Black girl in my biomedical engineering class until my third year,” Gaskins told Cincinnati Edition host Lucy May.
Gaskins serves as associate dean of UC’s Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement. Joining Gaskins for the segment was Anderson High School student Sosena Tefera, who wants to study aerospace engineering. She said she was one of just two girls in her computer science class.
“When people think about STEM, they definitely see it as a male-dominated field. And that is very frightening for teenage girls,” Sosena told Cincinnati Edition.
“My journey into STEM all started with me cold-emailing Dr. Gaskins,” Sosena said.
She took part in a UC engineering summer camp and now works as an intern at UC’s Digital Futures building, where she said she has gotten a feel for research in engineering labs.
Gaskins talked about the ways UC is helping first-generation college students and underrepresented minorities in Cincinnati Public Schools, or CPS, get a foothold to opportunity.
“CPS Strong is part of our president’s strategic direction. And in engineering we take it very seriously,” she said.
Many schools have trouble finding enough chemistry and physics teachers, so UC offers those classes to high school students so they can fulfill their admission prerequisites, she said.
“We’re talking about opportunity and access. Prosperity is for everyone,” she said.
Related Stories
Heather Crabbe named Assistant Dean for Professional Development at UC Law
July 15, 2024
Heather Crabbe was named Assistant Dean for Professional Development at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
UC's IDD Education Center connects students with in-college employment
July 12, 2024
The recent hiring of Dana Laster to the marketing and recruitment office of University of Cincinnati's College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH) marks a first-ever internship to in-college employment through the college's TAP program. The pipeline from paid student intern to university staff member serves as a pilot case for potential future hirings in the college and university at large.
Proposed legislation could help students with housing costs
July 10, 2024
Proposed federal legislation would allow eligible students to access the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher Program — or section 8 housing vouchers — to pay for on- and off-campus housing.
WVXU: STEM workforce is growing, but diversity still lags
July 10, 2024
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Associate Dean Whitney Gaskins tells WVXU's Cincinnati Edition that more women are enrolling in engineering programs at UC and nationwide.
Mayor Pureval, Rob Richardson lead ethical AI symposium
July 5, 2024
As artificial intelligence rapidly integrates into everyday life, Rob Richardson, CEO and founder of Disrupt Now and MidwestCon and local tech startup partner of the University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub, recently spearheaded the Responsible AI Symposium with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, calling upon community leaders to discuss and ensure artificial intelligence technologies help users rather than harm.
Carnegie Foundation recognizes UC with Leadership for Public Purpose classification
June 24, 2024
UC part of inaugural group honored for focusing on developing students as leaders
Engineering’s gender gap narrows
June 20, 2024
UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science has launched the careers of many women across engineering disciplines. With much to celebrate, women say there is still more to do to reach equity in the workplace.
Watch: CCM Acting shares student film "Sonder"
June 18, 2024
Art imitates life as CCM Acting student short film shows a group of college actresses during a sleepover where they anticipate their acceptance (or rejection) into a coveted summer acting institute program.
Two-spirit and intersex people explain they/them pronouns
June 14, 2024
Delia Sosa, a medical student at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, spoke with Spectrum News as part of the station's Pride month coverage. Sosa discussed the use of they/them pronouns and more about transgender and non-binary communities.
UC creates voice-coaching app for gender expression
June 14, 2024
Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a free voice-coaching app to help transgender and gender-diverse people sound more masculine or feminine.