92FALL ORGANIZATIONS New women’s organization provides space for community, learning and spiritual growth. THE SECOND WEEK OF THE FALL 2021 semester marked the creation of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), an organization made to unite women in the two departments by building upon one another. Junior biochemistry and molecular biology major Libby Hinton was the student overseeing WISE. She mulled over the idea the previous semester with assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry Jaime Murphy in the summer of 2021. By the beginning of the semester, that idea became a reality. Hinton drew inspiration from other clubs on campus that were built by women, for women. “I created WISE because I wanted a community for the women in the College of Science,” Hinton said. “I saw the Women of COBA, and I wanted to have a community of the women that I see every day.” One of the key functions of WISE was to serve as a support system for the students. The STEM field was not always easy, so the group welcomed and encouraged women daily. The club was also a way to help students navigate their future. “We just want women to feel empowered; that is basically the whole thing,” Hinton said. WISE provided a safe space for women where they could also come together and worship. Hinton noted that the spiritual aspect was essential to the club as they would have all-women devotionals led by their department or the Bible department. WISE also intended to have speakers who would provide the members with information of the world of science and engineering. In addition, there was a goal to reach out to the local school districts to talk to children about sciences. WISE sponsor Murphy saw how the value in a community could bring out the best in individual relationships. “Being able to find places that we can create mentors both from younger student to older student perspective, older student to faculty, or even older students to people who are in the industry [is valuable],” Murphy said. Sophomore Chloe Ingersoll spoke about the opportunity that she saw in WISE and what it provided for women in these fields. “I’m most looking forward to having a community that I can relate to in terms of careers that is going to support one another to reach our goals by providing an intentional safe space as women,” Ingersoll said. WRITTEN BY RYAN GALLAGHER FOCUS ON The members of WISE attend an orientation meeting in September 2021. Meetings were held to discuss ways to support each other in the world of STEM. Photo by: Kaitlyn Cutshall “I AM EVENT AND PROJECT DIRECTOR for the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations,” alumna Shelbi Bridges said. I play a huge role in planning signature events on campus like Homecoming, spring sing, and family weekend. My goal is to make each event bigger and better than it was the year before and to make alumni want to come back for these events. Harding prepared me well for this by giving me the opportunity to manage large-scale projects in undergrad. As a student, I was Spring Sing director, on Petit Jean Yearbook staff, and involved in many other organizations on campus. Harding also prepared me by teaching me how important it is to build genuine relationships with everyone I work with. Since graduation, I have been able to effectively network which is incredibly important in event planning. Because of Harding, I have had incredible opportunity to grow and excel in my career.”
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