2014 OALA ConferenceOn March 15, Oregon State University hosted the 2014 Oregon Association of Latino Administrators (OALA) conference, a gathering of more than 200 Latino high school principals and education leaders from across the state. Through exhibits and speakers, the event demonstrated efforts to create a more diverse, inclusive, and challenging learning environment for future leaders in STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

The College of Engineering’s Women and Minorities in Engineering (WME) program collaborated closely with conference organizers to showcase the university’s resources for underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and to create a closer dialogue between K-12 schools and higher education. Continue reading

ChickTechOne-hundred high school girls got first-hand experience with web programming, object-oriented 3D programming, circuits, and more at ChickTech, a workshop co-hosted by Oregon State’s Women and Minorities in Engineering Program. The brainchild of Oregon State alumnus Janice Levenhagen-Seeley, ChickTech is a Portland-based organization focused on building a multi-generational community of women in technology. The organization has presented workshops or events in Portland and Corvallis, with the goal of adding a new city each year. Hoping to address the lack of females in technology-based programs such as engineering and science, they offer hands-on learning opportunities to show young girls that it’s not all boring desk work. Read more…