Dayton Engineer

By Morgan Brewster, marketing communications intern

Because of COVID-19, many student organizations on campus faced challenges during the 2020-2021 school year. Despite these circumstances, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) was able to adapt and promote membership because of its dedicated student leaders. 

As co-presidents, students Stefani Callabro and Rachel Rock, created new ways to promote the Society of Women Engineers and motivate their members to be active and involved. They have been hosting virtual meetings and craft nights, sending out monthly newsletters, attending virtual professional development events and organizing a SWE ice skating event on the UD winter ice skating rink. In addition to hosting virtual events and meetings, SWE continues to inform and encourage their members about scholarship and job opportunities.

“Even though this semester was stressful and ever-changing,” Callabro reflects, “my executive board and I evolved with the times and attempted to make SWE members feel involved. We tried to create creative ways to inform our members and still engage with them on a regular basis.”

The student leadership in SWE also wanted to make sure they had time to give back to their surrounding community. SWE worked closely with the Girl Scouts to help them earn their engineering-related badges and organized a clothing drive to benefit a local women’s shelter. 

“The SWE women have done an incredible job of revitalizing the SWE chapter on campus,” says Beth Hart, faculty adviser to SWE. “I am beyond proud of what the SWE officers have accomplished this year and am looking forward to what they accomplish once the COVID-19 guidelines are hopefully lifted for next year.”