About WEPAN
The leading champion in North America for leveraging research and best practices to propel the inclusion of women in the field of engineering.
WEPAN is dedicated to advancing cultures of inclusion and diversity in engineering higher education and workplaces.
WEPAN is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1990. WEPAN advocates to fully embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion to meet the demands of today’s innovation and performance-driven business culture. WEPAN connects people, research, and practice to increase participation, retention and success of women and other underrepresented groups in engineering from college to executive leadership.
Mission and History
The Women in Engineering Pro-Active Network (WEPAN) was founded in 1990 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to advance cultures of inclusion and diversity in engineering education and professions. WEPAN aims to achieve this mission by:
Empowering people and organizations who are catalysts of change
Ensuring the success of women in engineering education and professions
Sustaining a strong network
Creating research-based evidence
Driving successful implementation of proven practices
Developing useful and timely resources
Since its inception, WEPAN has worked with institutions of higher education, corporations, and engineering societies to develop and implement research-based practices. Examples of such programs include the award-winning mentoring program which advances knowledge of effective mentoring strategies, training, and programs to enhance academic experiences, professional development, and career success for underrepresented populations in engineering.
One of WEPAN’s strengths is its focus on establishing and sustaining partnerships and collaborations that are designed to ensure that all WEPAN activities and initiatives have a broad and enduring impact at the individual and institutional level.
WEPAN has fostered the integration of research and education activities in the development of training and curriculum on a variety of projects. For example, the ENGAGE Engineering project which was designed to increase the capacity of engineering schools to retain undergraduate students by implementing proven, research-based strategies into engineering programs.
Core Values
Knowledge
Knowledge of research, statistics, pedagogy, and practice relevant to women in engineering and STEM as a way to drive change.
Collaboration
Collaboration draws on strengths from many sectors and is key to advancing women in engineering.
Diversity
Inclusion of diverse communities of women improves the field of engineering itself.
Leadership
Developing and influencing leadership is pivotal to advancing the success of women in engineering.
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