Sisterhood in STEM: SWE at Tarleton

BY CAROLINE CRAIN

Editor-in-Chief

Despite decades of progress in STEM fields, women remain significantly underrepresented in engineering, making up only about 15–17% of engineers in the United States today.

At Tarleton State University, that national trend shows up in classrooms, with many women finding themselves one of just a few in engineering courses. For students like those in Tarleton’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE), that reality is exactly why the organization matters.

“SWE is an organization meant to bring women into engineering and have a community for women,” Ana Rea, environmental engineering major and SWE risk management officer, said.

The Society of Women Engineers is a prominent international non-profit organization focused on empowering women in engineering and technology. Founded in 1950, it functions as a central organization with over 47,000 members worldwide.

At Tarleton, SWE serves as both a support system and a professional resource for women navigating a traditionally male-dominated field. Members say the organization helps combat isolation many experience early in their engineering education.

“At Tarleton, sometimes you’re one of just a few women in a class,” Rea said. “SWE gave me a place to connect with others who get it.”

Many students first join SWE looking for connection, but quickly find opportunities for leadership and growth. For environmental engineering major and SWE secretary Kennedie Dyer, involvement began with a leap of faith.

“I actually got questioned on an interview job process of if I was in any organizations specifically through engineering because my other organizations weren't a main talking point,” Dyer said. “…After that, I decided to actually go to a meeting, and then officer positions were up, and I decided I was just going to jump right into it and fully submerge into a community with women.”

That sense of community is built through regular meetings and social activities, including study hours, movie nights and casual meetups designed to help members connect beyond the classroom. For students, those interactions can make a noticeable difference.

“Even if we are 22 years old, it’s still hard to go up to someone… Being in SWE, I already know you, so it’s easier to say, ‘I'm going to sit next to you. Let's hang out. Let's study.’ And it gives you more of the courage and ability to have more friends,” Dyer said.

SWE leaders say creating a welcoming environment is especially important for new students who may feel intimidated entering engineering programs.

“To freshmen: do not be scared. Everybody’s super nice, and we want you there,” Rea said.

Beyond social support, SWE emphasizes professional development by connecting students with industry leaders and real-world opportunities. Guest speakers, networking events and internships allow members to explore career paths and build confidence.

Former Tarleton SWE president Brecklyn McMinn said her involvement in the organization played a key role in her professional success. She began as social media coordinator before serving as vice president and then president, where she organized meetings and invited speakers from multiple engineering disciplines.

She said running meetings and speaking in front of groups strengthened her confidence and became a major talking point with employers.

“Once you’ve talked in front of a big group of people like that, it can very much help you when talking to potential employers,” McMinn said.

After graduating with her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in May 2025, McMinn now works as a design engineer at Southland Industries. She credits SWE with helping her develop skills that carried into her career.

“I think it very much helped me become a better leader, and it helped me to have more organizational skills,” McMinn said.

Members say organizations like SWE remain important as women continue to enter engineering fields, offering mentorship and reassurance in environments where they may still feel outnumbered.

“More women are joining engineering, which is amazing, but having organizations that target women helps create a community,” Rea said.

While gender gaps are steadily narrowing, support structures remain crucial.

“It gives students confidence to go into a workforce where women are still underrepresented,” Dyer said.

For students considering joining, members encourage taking the first step, even if it feels intimidating.

“Even if you can’t go to every meeting, do it,” Rea said. “It opens your eyes to seeing other women in your major.”

And if nothing else, SWE offers the opportunity to find a sisterhood.

“I think it's like asking someone, ‘Why would you go and join a sorority?’” Dyer said. “A lot of girls are looking for sisterhood, a support group, activities, and so SWE is like that for engineers. It's like a sorority with no requirements, and it becomes a sisterhood, a place where you can study and have this community as your backbone going into the workforce when you graduate.”

As women in engineering continue to push against long-standing barriers, Tarleton’s Society of Women Engineers provides a space where students can find support, build confidence and prepare for careers beyond the classroom - together.