Happy Women's History Month! The Purdue Environmental and Ecological Engineering program is 50% female engineers. In the path of passionate and determined women before them, these women are making history right now.

Rebecca Ciez has been a professor here at Purdue for nearly 4 years. With research focuses on energy systems, decarbonization technologies, life-cycle costs, environmental impacts, and more, Dr. Ciez is aiding solutions to the world’s energy issues.

What inspired you to pursue environmental and ecological engineering?

Like so many people, I wanted to do something that mattered. Climate change and environmental issues are obviously big concerns. My undergrad in Mechanical Engineering led me to energy and climate interactions. At this point, renewable energy sources were becoming very inexpensive. It seemed that we were making progress with solar and wind. What were we going to do with all this extra energy? How do we manage the variability? These thoughts and questions spurred my interest in energy storage and led to much of the research I did in graduate school.

What are some of the benefits or opportunities that being a woman in engineering has brought you?

It gives me the opportunity to work on some really challenging problems, and to see within the technical piece of what's happening with energy technologies. It also comes with a more expansive view of the social and political implications; how these technologies get adopted, and how they can impact larger communities. Having that combination of skills gives you the ability to really study what's happening, and when you can see clearly, you can problem solve more directly.

What would you say to a woman considering engineering?

Occasionally you may get lost in the nitty gritty of problem sets and learning specific software. It’s vital that you remember that technical processes and software have real world implications. It’s so important to gain a larger, encompassing view of what engineering is and what it can be. Learning and retaining those real-world relationships will help immensely as you move through your engineering education.

Clarreese Greene

Clarreese Greene is a second year GEM Fellow PhD student from Georgetown, SC. Clarreese has two bachelor’s degrees, one in Civil Engineering and one in Modern Languages with an Emphasis in French. Her research interests center around human-nature relationships, the plurals of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and alternative land management practices. When she’s not studying, you can find Clarreese at the Black Cultural Center where she is the Scholar-in-Residence for their Research Performing Arts Ensemble Black Thought Collective and a part of their Jahari Dance Troupe.

Name one inspirational woman in your life. How were they inspirational? What did they inspire you to do?

My mom remains the full embodiment of inspiration for me. She has always inspired me and encouraged me to reach higher and go farther, and to focus on being where I am and who I am. She's inspired me to read and write more, cultivate my spiritual self, and learn about the environment. She taught me about the healing that plants and the outdoors can offer. With that, she inspired me to learn more about what we can offer back to them and the Earth.

What inspired you to pursue environmental and ecological engineering?

I was inspired by the interdisciplinary nature of the program. My prior undergrad research helped me realize that engineering is more than the structures that I was focusing on as Civil Engineering; it's social advocacy, art, and history. You need them all to innovate. I love that EEE calls upon us to think holistically. We can’t improve upon current environmental and ecological situations without seeing things from all perspectives.

What would you say to a woman considering engineering?

I'd tell them that there is nothing they cannot do. Your vision will not only inspire the world but change worlds... and we need the shift. Don't worry so much about profit that you forget about purpose.  Be empowered and know that I'm cheering you on and rooting for you. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. 

Hailey Benfield

Hailey Benfield is what we call a “Sophomore Superstar.” She wants to pursue industrial sustainability and the corporate side of Environmental Engineering, working to make current engineering systems more sustainable. Hailey also volunteers as the SWEekend Co-Chair of the Purdue Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Sophomore Student Advisory Council Representative with the Society of Ecological Engineers, and a EEE Student Ambassador.

What inspired you to pursue environmental and ecological engineering?

I went into engineering not sure what it would entail. I just knew I loved math and science. After researching engineering and discovering environmental engineering, I knew it was what I wanted to do. The idea that I could apply my STEM knowledge to the greater good of the planet is what really drew me to the major.

What are some of the benefits or opportunities that being a woman in engineering has brought you?

The biggest thing I have gained from being a woman in engineering is an amazing community. I have met so many incredible women through my classes and through SWE who have been a crucial support system. Some of them became my best friends. Additionally, Purdue SWE sponsored me and 39 other undergraduate students in attending the Society of Women Engineers National Conference this year. I was able to meet other chapters of SWE, attend career relevant seminars, listen in on sessions related to Environmental Engineering, and attend the world's largest career fair for women in engineering and technology.

What would you say to a woman considering engineering?

Don't be afraid. My first year at Purdue I felt a little intimidated by my classmates after hearing their accomplishments from high school. I felt behind and like I would never get anywhere in engineering. But after being at Purdue for almost two years now, I have realized that our differences are what make us stand out. Being a woman in engineering shows strength and power that many are afraid to show. There are so many opportunities out there, and just because we are women shouldn't mean we have access to any less of them.

Maddy Williams

Purdue EEE alumna Maddy Williams graduated in 2018 with a BSEEE and again in 2023 with an MBA. Originally from Perrysburg, Ohio, Maddy now works as Senior Sustainability Analyst at KERAMIDA Inc. and as an Indy Eleven Women's Team Player and Coach.

Name one inspirational woman in your life. How were they inspirational? What did they inspire you to do?

My mom! Cliche, but she paved the path for me as a woman in STEM. She was a Division I college athlete studying Information Technology (IT), which is what propelled me and my drive for my athletic and academic career at Purdue with soccer and Engineering. She showed me what success looks like for women in sports and in the corporate world. She inspired me to continue pushing the envelope to propel my personal success, and also to pave the way for the next generation of women in sports and in STEM.

What are some of the goals or aspirations that you have as a woman in engineering?

Personally, the next goal or aspiration on my list is to really get our Sustainable Sports Initiative at KERAMIDA Inc. off the ground and become one of the (if not the) go-to consultant for any and all sustainability work in the sports world. Sustainability has taken off in the last 5 years, and is only going to become more important as time goes on. Additionally, I have an aspiration to manage and/or lead younger women in engineering that are early on in their professional careers to help navigate and collaborate.

What would you say to a woman considering engineering?

I would say you're making one of the best choices you ever could for yourself professionally! Becoming a woman in engineering (especially from Purdue) sets yourself up for future success in both your professional and personal life. No matter the discipline, women in engineering all have very similar traits in terms of their drive, passion, commitment, and creativity. These traits become ingrained into our work ethic and daily lives after four years in the engineering program.

Happy Women's History Month!