WISE Institute
About Us
On July 1, 1994 Penn State institutionalized its commitment to support women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by creating and providing baseline funding for the WISE Institute.
The WISE Institute represents an innovative approach to cross-disciplinary interaction among:
- Engineers
- Humanists
- Scientists
- Social scientist
The WISE Institute coordinates with colleges across the University, K-12, and external stakeholders to leverage women’s participation in the STEM fields where women are underrepresented in order to achieve gender equity.
The WISE Institute collaborates with other Penn State units such as the Commission for Women (CFW), the Center for Women Students, and the Women’s Studies Program to serve as an advocate for women at Penn State.
To view more about WISE, click here.
To view a summary of our strategic plan, click here. (If you would like the detailed strategic plan, please contact us.)
To view PSU & National Statistics, click here.
The WISE Institute represents a unique collaboration between the Institute and our constituent colleges:
- The College of Agricultural Sciences (AG)
- The College Earth & Mineral Sciences (EMS)
- The College of Engineering (ENGR)
- The College Health & Human Development (HHD)
- The College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST)
- The Eberly College of Science (SCI)
The Institute works with campuses, colleges, and departments/units across the University, along with groups and institutions off campus.
WISE Deans Coordinating Council is comprised of Deans from participating colleges: AG, ENG, EMS, HHD, IST, and SCI. The primary role of the Deans Coordinating Council is to advise the Director of WISE on how the Institute can support the work of the colleges and facilitate collaborative opportunities among colleges and commonwealth campuses.
Internal Stakeholder Committee is comprised of faculty, staff, and student representatives from the constituent colleges and representatives from relevant university-wide units. The role of the WISE Internal Stakeholder Committee is to provide advice and assistance to the Institute, to share and discuss ideas and issues pertinent to women in the STEM fields at Penn State, and to help formulate plans to attain gender equity across the university.
External Advisory Board is comprised of external individuals from industry, government, foundations, and academe, particularly alumni, who are interested in women's issues in science and engineering. The External Stakeholders Committee provides advice and guidance to aid the Institute in achieving its primary goal to coordinate and enhance the recruitment, retention, success, and professional development of women undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators in the STEM fields.
WISE Members are individuals who would like to hear firsthand about our activities and other items related to women in the STEM field through our WISE listserv.
