The Women in Engineering (WIE) program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosted its annual Spring Banquet to honor the dedication and impact of its student leaders and celebrate the vibrant community they help foster. The event brought together students and staff in recognition of the values that define the WIE community: service, leadership, and a shared commitment to uplifting others.
The evening commenced with a welcome from Prof. Yuting Chen, Director of Women in Engineering. Her remarks set the tone for the celebration, emphasizing the importance of the community that WIE cultivates. Following her welcome, attendees enjoyed dinner and the opportunity to connect with fellow students and staff.
After dinner, the program resumed with a student reflection delivered by Shelby Fuller, a senior in Bioengineering and a WIE program assistant. She shared insights from her four-year journey with WIE, highlighting its profound impact on her personal and professional growth.
“WIE has been more than just an organization to me; it has been a place where I have grown, been accepted, and felt seen. It’s the place where I found my people,” said Fuller. She spoke candidly about arriving at UIUC uncertain of her path and how her involvement in WIE - beginning with the WIE Orientation - helped her find clarity, confidence, and community.
“That first experience with WIE changed everything for me,” she reflected. “I went from feeling alone to feeling empowered… because I was surrounded by a community that understood what it meant to feel like the ‘only one,’ and who chose to lift each other anyway.”
Her journey culminated in attending the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Annual Conference as a representative of WIE. “It wasn’t just a conference—it was a celebration of who we are and what we’re capable of,” she said. Inspired by a greater community of women engineers, she left the experience with a renewed sense of purpose.
The banquet continued with special recognition for the contributions of WIE Program Assistants, Advisory Board Liaisons, Impact Lab Leaders, Ambassadors, Orientation Mentors, GFX Leadership Scholars, graduating seniors, as well as college and department staff. Their dedication over the past year has been instrumental in shaping a supportive and empowering environment for all WIE participants.
The evening drew to a close with a door prize raffle, generously sponsored by Collins Aerospace, providing a festive conclusion to a night of celebration.
As the WIE program continues to grow, it remains a cornerstone of the student experience within The Grainger College of Engineering. Through engagements like WIE Orientation and leadership development initiatives, WIE empowers students to turn uncertainty into purpose and potential into power - ensuring that every student, like Shelby, finds a place where they are seen, supported, and inspired to lead.