The WIE (Women in Engineering) Orientation, designed to welcome new first-year and transfer students, included virtual pre-orientation mentoring sessions and a two-day on campus event. The WIE Orientation is an opportunity for new students to build connections and learn more about college life before it begins. Participants learn about various co-curricular and leadership opportunities, as well as how to access academic and wellness resources.
This year’s event was attended by over 550 new students and mentors. It began with a keynote address by Arielle Gross Samuels, an engineering alumna. Students then had the chance to visit a resource fair, where they learned about different programs, professional development opportunities, and support services available to them.
Throughout the orientation, students participated in several activities. The "Ask Me Anything" dinners with WIE mentors offered a casual setting where students could ask any questions they might have. They took part in “escape rooms” where they would try to solve multiple puzzles with their classmates. Fireside chats with faculty and staff gave students an idea of what to expect from their courses and departments. Additionally, students attended a panel with representatives from Engineering Career Services, Research Park, and this year’s corporate sponsors – Texas Instruments and Caterpillar.
The success of the WIE Orientation was greatly due to its student mentors. Desiree Oliveros, who will be an Engineering Learning Assistant (ELA) this semester, expressed her excitement about meeting the new students. "I’m looking forward to meeting all the freshmen and possibly some of my students for the semester. I really enjoyed my freshman year, so I’m thrilled to be on the other side as a mentor," she said.
Alice Gao, a senior in Materials Engineering, said "When I was a freshman, this event was very helpful for meeting other women in my major. I think it’s really valuable for that reason." Hannah Jacobson was also excited about the opportunity to mentor, saying, "Participating in the pre-orientation mentoring was great. It was wonderful to meet new students and share things I wish I had known during my first year."
Mentor Audra Aurora Izzani also helped at the event, saying "I love seeing new students excited about their classes and meeting new people. It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm and interest in everything."
The WIE Orientation continues to be a key part of the Grainger experience, creating a supportive community for women engineering students and guiding them through their engineering education.