The 2010 Women in Chemical Engineering Seminar was held on Saturday, April 10, in the Forney Hall of Chemical Engineering. Fifty-seven undergraduate and graduate women chemical engineering students, chemical engineering alumnae, and chemical engineering faculty and staff met to discuss and network on career choices, opportunities and challenges for women chemical engineers.   The seminar was sponsored by Shell Oil Company.

Two of our remarkable engineering alumnae, Ms. Emily Liggett (BS 1977) and Dr. Nicole Vaughn (PhD 2005), shared their career and personal experiences. Ms. Liggett is the CEO of NovaTorque, Inc. and Dr. Vaughn is a Senior Engineer for ExxonMobil Research & Engineering in the Products Research and Technology Division. Ms. Mary Slater (BS Mgmt 2003, MBA 2005), Project Manager for Shell Lubricants Supply Chain, spoke over lunch.

Three break-out sessions were offered to the participants on the topics of work/life balance, alternative careers and transitioning to a new environment. The break-out sessions were led by Ms. Jamie Drewry (BS 2004), Ms. Jennifer Johnson-Kenny (BS 2001, MBA 2007), Ms. Candee Krautkramer (BS 1990), Ms. Jennifer Roach (BS 1991), Ms. Elizabeth Reinitz (BS 2007), and Ms. Ronna Robertson (BS 1992).

Afterwards, one student wrote: “I really learned a lot and felt very inspired for my future. I got to ask a lot of questions I would not be able to ask otherwise on such a close level with such successful people.”

The seminar is an annual spring event for our women chemical engineering students and alumnae.