The AIChE Women in Chemical Engineering Community (WIC) is inviting members to join and take an active role in its growing community.
The ability to network with peers and find mentors is one of the key benefits of participating in WIC. Through this network, members gain opportunities to raise their visibility in the chemical engineering community, influence programming, and help shape the future direction of WIC. Active members can also more readily avail themselves of leadership roles, awards, and speaking opportunities within AIChE.
I’ve really enjoyed working with and learning from inspirational women at different stages of their careers in academia, industry, and national labs. It has been great to truly feel like a part of the community of women in chemical engineering.
Benefits of joining the community
In welcoming members to become active in the Women in Chemical Engineering Community, Mrunmayi Kumbhalkar, R&D Scientist at Dow and Chair of WIC, said “WIC provides an array of professional development opportunities for women in the chemical engineering field across academia, industry, and governmental organizations. Personally, it has helped me extend my network and learn about the common challenges faced by the broader community. It has also given me a platform to organize events aligned to these challenges and to make a positive impact.”
Lisa Volpatti, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, voiced her appreciation for the supportive network that she discovered in WIC. “The WIC community welcomed me with open arms when I expressed interest in joining,” said Volpatti. “I’ve really enjoyed working with and learning from inspirational women at different stages of their careers in academia, industry, and national labs. It has been great to truly feel like a part of the community of women in chemical engineering.”
AIChE member professionals can join the Women in Chemical Engineering Community for an additional $10 per year. Undergraduates, graduate students, and post docs can join for free. The annual WIC dues help support the community’s events, travel grants, and programs that increase the visibility of women within AIChE and the profession.
History of WIC
Chartered by AIChE in 1998, and originally known as the Women’s Initiatives Committee, WIC organizes sessions at AIChE’s Spring and Annual Meetings, as well as year-round online events such as Allyship and Advocacy: Becoming an Advocate for Women. With its emphasis on inclusivity, WIC encourages members who don’t identify as women to join the community. As a WIC member, you’ll have an opportunity to attend online and in-person technical programming geared specifically for women and their allies, and to contribute to the community’s roster of activities.