About WIE
Are you creative? Inspired to innovate? Ready make your mark by building exciting things? Have a love for travel? Drawn to working with other inspiring people?
Become an engineer!
Engineering is an extremely versatile career choice that provides several avenues to explore and build a fulfilling career. The University of Utah is home to a thriving community of women in engineering ready help you meet your educational and professional goals.
The Women in Engineering (WIE) program is dedicated to serving the community of women graduate and undergraduate engineering/computer science students in the College of Engineering. WIE focuses on retention, recruitment and overall climate-enhancement activities. The WIE community includes women of from all seven engineering departments at the University of Utah.

April Vrtis-Curran
College of Engineering
Academic Program Manager
Make Appointment
- Phone: 801-581-4683
- Email: a.vrtis-curran@utah.edu
- Office: 1704 WEB
WIE Events
To Be Determined
Faculty Mentors for Students
The following faculty members have volunteered to encourage, assist, and mentor women students:
Susan Bock
Home Department: Bioengineering
E-mail: susan.bock@utah.edu
Phone: (801) 585-6521
Christine Pomeroy
Home Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
E-mail: christine.pomeroy@utah.edu
Phone: (801) 585-7300
Rong Rong Chen
Home Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
E-mail: rchen@ece.utah.edu
Phone: (801) 585-7367
Shelley Minteer
Home Department: Materials Science and Engineering
E-mail: minteer@chem.utah.edu
Phone: (801) 587-8325
Amanda Smith
Home Department: Mechanical Engineering
E-mail: amanda.d.smith@utah.edu
Phone: (801) 581-6485
Erin Parker
Home Department: School of Computing
E-mail: parker@cs.utah.edu
Phone: (801) 587-9505
Society of Women Engineers
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.
The University of Utah’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers is active and growing on campus. To become a member, visit the Society of Women Engineers online, or email: uofuswe@gmail.com.

Mission
To support the continued success of women in the College of Engineering.
Committee Members

Mary HallCommittee Chair |

Susan BockHome Department: Bioengineering |

Rebecca BrannonHome Department: Mechanical Engineering |

Cindy FurseHome Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering |

Tatjana JevremovicHome Department: Chemical Engineering |

JoAnn LightyHome Department: Chemical Engineering |

Shelley MinteerHome Department: Materials Science and Engineering |

Christine PomeroyHome Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering |
Work-Life Balance at the University of Utah
- Women in Engineering Program
- Family Leave Policy – The University of Utah
- NSF Career-Life Balance Initiative
- Presidential Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW)
- Child Care Coordinating Office
- Diversity at the University of Utah
Women in Science & Engineering Lunch Bunch
The Women in Science & Engineering Lunch Bunch is a group of faculty, including instructors and research faculty, from the Colleges of Science, Mines, and Engineering. We meet informally for lunch every other month during the school year, with a speaker or discussion leader on topics of interest to women faculty. This is an opportunity to meet colleagues outside of your own department, for fun, camaraderie, or even possible collaboration. All new women faculty are added to the distribution list, or contact Cindy Furse at cfurse@ece.utah.edu.
Links and Affiliated Programs
GALS – Graduate and Advanced Lady Scientists – GALS is an organization for graduate and post-graduate women in STEM fields at the University of Utah.
Utah Women and Education Initiative – The mission of the Utah Women and Education Initiative is to be the catalyst for the implementation of the recommendations for the Governor’s Women’s College Task Force. It will serve as the “hub” to coordinate programs, services, networks, public relations, and efforts focused on moving more women in Utah toward attending college and obtaining degrees and certificates.
Women in STEM – A guide that helps women interested in STEM degrees choose the right college and program for them. It outlines common challenges that women in STEM programs face, and how to succeed in this competitive field. It also lists common scholarships available for them.
Women’s Enrollment Initiative – The University of Utah values women and what they contribute to campus and the community. The Women’s Enrollment Initiative is designed to recruit, retain, and graduate women through a network of support that provides opportunities and creates innovative partnerships that positively impact the full range of experiences for women as they pursue their educational and professional goals.
Need Help
The University of Utah, Counseling Center offers services in individual, group, and couples counseling at affordable rates. In addition, they offer free workshops throughout the semester. Please visit this website to learn more.
The University of Utah and the College of Engineering takes reports of discrimination and incidents of prejudice seriously. Please visit this website to complete a form or contact April Vrtis regarding the incident.
If you are struggling due to finances, academics, or other concerns, please let us know how we can help. There are multiple resources available for you through the University of Utah and the College of Engineering. Please complete this form or contact April Vrtis for further information.