785-532-3395
E-mail: wesp@k-state.edu
Fax: 785-532-3349
www.k-state.edu/wesp

Kimberly D. Douglas-Mankin, Director

The Women in Engineering and Science Program at Kansas State University is jointly administered by the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Engineering. WESP has a two-fold mission of recruitment and retention of women in engineering and science from the middle school through post-graduate levels. The program is designed to help create an academic and social climate at K-State that is conducive to both women and men in science and engineering.  WESP is a catalyst for building community, promoting awareness, and providing support for female students with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

WESP activities include on-campus speakers, career exploration panels, workforce preparation programs, and social events to facilitate student and faculty contact. Students are also encouraged to become involved in WESP’s ongoing research and outreach programs to middle and high school girls.

While WESP programs are specifically designed to meet the needs of women, many of the offerings are available to all students and make K-State a better place for all students to pursue STEM fields. Program offerings include:

• K-State STEP: offers retention programs that employ WESP and MEP students to serve as tutors in STEM fields, a freshmen internship program, job shadowing and a family connections program.
• Women Mentoring Women: a group peer mentoring program designed to link freshmen women with upper-division women to support student retention.
• WESP Distinguished Lecture Series: female engineers and scientists come to campus to provide presentations and serve as role models for all students, particularly female students.
• Making a Difference Awards: recognizes individuals across campus that have had an impact on women pursuing STEM fields.
• GROW: Girls Researching Our World is an outreach program for girls in grades six through eight that provides a wide-range of hands-on exposure to science and engineering.
• EXCITE!: “EXploring Science, Technology and Engineering” is a program designed for girls in ninth and tenth grades to gain focused hands-on experience in STEMfields.