Dayton Engineer

The Center for Social Concern in Campus Ministry named Isabella Saylor ’24 the 2024 Miryam Award recipient. The award honors those making significant contributions in advancing the climate for women at UD. Saylor has supported and mentored women in her field of electrical and computer engineering, and has embraced and lived the Marianist charism of the university.

Saylor will be honored during a ceremony 3:30 p.m. March 21, in Kettering Labs 505.  

Saylor, a senior computer engineering student from Hamilton, Ohio, was nominated by Amy Neidhard-Doll, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She arrived at UD as a Discover Engineering major and through her own mentor in the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) program, she found her niche in computer engineering. Though passionate about the course of study, Saylor found the climate for female students in electrical and computer engineering was not as supportive as she would have hoped.

She took action. Saylor established a UD Women in Engineering Student Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This chapter has been instrumental in supporting female students in a major that is only 8-10% female. Through this work, the UD chapter continues to work to address issues faced by women in ECE, including isolation, being overlooked and not being represented in leadership positions.

Neidhard-Doll points to how Saylor explicitly used her leadership skills to create change and lift up those who may feel lost in the shadows. 

“When you look at Bella's resume, you will quickly notice that she has made significant contributions in diversity efforts designed to increase representation and support for females in a significantly male-dominated field of engineering,” Neidhard-Doll said.

In addition to creating the IEEE WIE chapter at UD, Saylor has leadership roles in Kappa Delta and Agape Latte; and serves as a WISE mentor and a member of the Honors student welcome leadership team. 

“Bella truly embodies the spirit of the 2024 Miryam Award,” said Neidhard-Doll. “She is both an inspiration; and an important role model for the future through facilitation of new opportunities that reduce the significant gender gap for women in STEM, especially within the fields of electrical and computer engineering.  She shows up fully for every task, challenge and person with grace and enthusiasm.”