Programs

On Campus Support

The Women's Engineering Program supports Cal Poly women engineering students through a variety of academic, leadership and social activities. These activities help students connect to their peers while concurrently providing alumnae, faculty and industry representatives as role models and assisting them in achieving their educational goals. Past on campus support activities have included: scholarships, academic counseling and referrals, pre-registration counseling, big sibling program, test files, teacher evaluations, SWE meetings, and community service. See What's New for schedule of upcoming activities.

Scholarships/Awards

WEP maintains a scholarship file, which provides engineering students the opportunity to apply for both industry and SWE sponsored scholarships. This file contains information about scholarships and grants that are available to women engineering students. In 2008, Cal Poly SWE procured $50,000 in scholarship for members. Additionally, WEP honors three to five senior engineering students each year as Outstanding Women in Engineering. These women, who are nominated by Cal Poly faculty members, represent Cal Poly's "best of the best". Scholarship recipients and award winners are announced during the annual SWE/WEP Evening With Industry (EWI) banquet.

Counseling

As various issues arise, personal/academic/career, counseling is available-either with the Director, or through referral. Such support can be one on one or in a small support group atmosphere. Pre-registration counseling is generally provided through Director guided peer education. Each quarter after new class schedules have been issued and before class registration is open, a pre-registration meeting is held for any interested students. At this meeting students can obtain peer and Director advice regarding class and instructor scheduling.

Big Sibling Program

The big sibling program is designed to pair students new to Cal Poly with upper division Cal Poly students. This mentoring program provides new students with a knowledgeable friend to help them successfully transition to university life and is available through Cal Poly SWE. The events with information can be found on the SWE calendar at: http://users.csc.calpoly.edu/~swe/calendar.php.

SWE

The Cal Poly section of SWE is a student section of the national professional organization. SWE's mission is to "Stimulate women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity." Cal Poly SWE section is the largest professional organization on campus with over 400 members. The chapter has been honored as the "Most Outstanding Student Section" in the nation from 2002 to 2006 and Gold Collegiate Section in 2008, and was third in 2007. Cal Poly SWE section meetings are held twice a month and feature company representatives or faculty members speaking on a variety of student selected topics. General meetings also offer important opportunities for students to participate in dynamic group interaction while learning from and sharing ideas with other SWE members.

Evening With Industry Banquet
2004-2005 SWE Officers