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KENNESAW, Georgia (October 4, 2021) – Lori Lowder readily admits that the road to STEM isn’t always straight.
Some students don’t fully realize their passion for the field until they begin their undergraduate studies, where many of them meet mentors who help shape their future and guide them on the path to success. This was the case with Lowder, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, who originally wanted to pursue a medical career until he learned the social impact of engineers.
Eager to seek a career in which she can improve the lives of others, Lowder first decided that she wanted to attend medical school. To make her medical school application more competitive, someone recommended that she get an engineering degree, and she agreed.
It wasn’t until she arrived at the Georgia Institute of Technology that she began to see the social impact of engineering and changed course to focus more on the field. She would earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and a doctorate. in bioengineering.
To encourage more women not only to pursue STEM but also to complete their degree programs, universities need to create a more welcoming environment in which others feel a sense of belonging, Lowder said. In an effort to improve gender diversity among its own programs, KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology has launched several initiatives designed with student success at its heart.
Recently, the University received nearly $ 1 million from NSF to support scholarships and complementary services for engineering students with the aim of increasing student recruitment, retention and graduation. low-income earners. Some of the programmatic support will take the form of focused guidance and effort from SPCEET faculty, advisors and staff, as well as industry partners to cultivate a broader sense of community among students. and improve gender diversity in engineering, Lowder said.
– Travis Highfield
Photos of Judith Pishnery
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two Atlanta metro campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the Georgia university system and the second largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit attract students from across the region and from 126 countries around the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-nominated doctoral (R2) research institute, which places it among an elite group of just 6% of US colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information visit kennesaw.edu.
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