The Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science (RSECS) and the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) will host the first annual Women in STEM event series to unite women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at DU, according to Sarah Pfeifer, Morgridge College of Education graduate student and Inclusive Excellence Fellow for NSM.

“We have not had an event like this before and wanted to bring together women in STEM fields at DU and in the community to share their experiences with each other,” said Pfeifer.

Over 50 people have registered for each event of the two-part series. The panelist event on April 17 is open to the campus, while the community event on April 24 is invitation only.

The first event, a STEM Professional Panel Session, will be held at 5 p.m. in Boettcher Auditorium 101 on April 17 and will feature four speakers: Carol Sturman, founder and president of Sturman Industries; Susan Sharp, certified principle engineer; Elizabeth Suarez, director of HERS Denver Summer Institute; and Mair Churchill, director of Structural Biology and Biochemistry Program at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

“Having the diverse perspective of diverse mind-sets is important to continue to build programs and work environments that are welcoming to all individuals, including women, international students, new professionals and experienced professionals,” said Pfeifer.

A Q&A session will follow the panel event. Kathryn Grove, director of Equal Opportunity at DU, will discuss gender bias and microaggressions at school and in the workplace, as well as what resources are available for those who have experienced gender bias.

At 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, current and post-doctoral students will participate in small groups led by faculty, as well as RSECS and NSM alumni. The groups will discuss strategies to navigate the working world and they will also will gather feedback on the series when the event is over.

“It is important for women to be involved and help each other to succeed no matter what field they are in and no matter if they are underrepresented or not,” said Pfeifer. “Connecting with others provides opportunities for individuals to not only develop their education and careers, but also provides a greater sense of belonging and value as they invest in their communities.”