Outreach Leadership Team
The Women in Engineering (WiE) Program Outreach Leadership Team provides support for our K-10 outreach programs, which include, Access Engineering, Imagination, Innovation, Discovery, Design (I2D2), Innovation to Reality (I2R), Engineering FYI: For Your Imagination, Connecting Engineers Online (CEO), Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED), along with several other community events. The Outreach LT also serve as facilitators, logistical coordinators, engineering project testers, and role models with a passion for inspiring future engineers.
 Diya Banerjee | Senior | Mechanical Engineering
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
The outreach team has given me confidence and belonging within engineering at Purdue. Coming into such a competitive school was incredibly intimidating; however, a very supportive work environment has allowed me to realize that I deserve to be heard when I speak.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
I believe that supporting the next generation of engineers is vital to society's health. Engineers can create immense change in our world - and future generations possess so much creativity, compassion, and talent that should be nurtured to make a positive trajectory in this world.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Resilient. Thoughtful. Passionate.
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 Caroline Brown | Senior | Biological Engineering and Biochemistry
Minor: Bioinformatics
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
From participating on the WiE Outreach Team, I have gained a better sense of community. For the first few years of my experience at Purdue, I mainly kept to the campus itself, but by doing outreach, I have had the opportunity to be an active member of the Lafayette community and to impact youth. Additionally, I have become a part of a community of female engineering leaders who uplift and support each other.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
When I was younger, I did not know the opportunities there was to be an engineer. I find that being an engineer is a great career path to choose that uses my academic strengths while allowing me to use my imagination and creativity. Therefore, I think it's important to reach out to the future generation of engineers to show them the different types of engineers and what they do for the world, so they may find a path for their future that resonates with their goals.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Positive. Empathetic. Resourceful.
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 Samantha Galicki | Junior | Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
Through WiE outreach I have not only found a love for sharing engineering with students of all ages and strengths but also gained confidence in my own abilities to be a leader.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
Going through two years of engineering school already, I've learned so much that I wish I could have told myself two, five, or even ten years ago! Being able to help the next generation of engineers and give them the guidance I would have loved so many years ago will help inspire and empower future creators and innovators to follow their passions confidently.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Passionate. Diligent. Sincere.
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 Alayna Miller | Junior | Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
Working alongside such passionate individuals on outreach team has deepened my appreciation for the power of community. I have been deeply fulfilled by the opportunity to blend my enthusiasm for engineering with the unique passions of my peers to inspire other students. I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support and encouragement these girls have shown me, and I am constantly energized by the drive and dedication they bring to every project. Together, we’re not just showcasing how exciting engineering can be, but we’re also building a supportive network that empowers both each other and our student demographic.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
My journey into STEM and the space exploration field was greatly shaped by my former teachers Mrs. Stephan and Mr. Wilson, whose passion for teaching ignited my own love for learning. Their influential guidance was transformative in shaping both who I am and where I stand today. Having the opportunity to now serve as that role model for other young students, and witness their excitement as they dive into STEM projects, has been incredibly rewarding. I am eager to watch these future innovators thrive, knowing that the seeds of passion we plant today will grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Imaginative. Driven. Resilient.
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 Charlotte Moss | Senior| Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Electrical Engineering
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
The WiE outreach team has given me support to grow as a person as I help children learn engineering. I have learned time management, grown in my public speaking, and have become a better communicator overall as I interact with both my peers and the kids.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
The future generation of engineers are the next innovators and scientists that are going to continue to change the world, and sometimes that starts right now when we can introduce them to a field that maybe they hadn't considered before. I was introduced to engineering in middle school, and here I am now, going through college for mechanical engineering. I think it's so important to empower these kids, and being a part of the WiE team has given me the opportunity to do that.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Creative. Patient. Adaptable.
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 Claire Qiao | Master's Student | Mechanical Engineering
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
I have learned a lot of communication skills from this program. Working with kids, I learned to be patient and accept that not everything will work exactly the way you planned.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
I think giving back is important because many people don't know what they are capable of or their options, so this program allows them to explore different fields and shows them all the amazing thing they can do.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Leader. Driven. Daring.
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 Keya Rajashekar | Junior | Biomedical Engineering
Minor: Psychology
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
Being part of the WiE outreach team is a very rewarding experience that has furthered many skills I would never have learned solely from school. Interacting with kids K-12 has taught me how to break down complex concepts into something simpler. Additionally, working within a diverse team has improved my communication, leadership, and innovative skills. However, most importantly, I have learned the importance of fostering a passion and interest in young minds for engineering and STEAM fields.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
Giving back to the future generation of engineers is crucial because it helps spark an early interest in difficult and higher-level fields of study. This leads to a conveyor of passionate and innovative people entering the industry while dissolving gender and diversity disparities within engineering.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Passionate. Dedicated. Creative.
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 Lexi Parks | Junior | Industrial Engineering
Minors: Management
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
The WiE outreach team has given me a purpose within Purdue Engineering. Through this role, I have further developed my communication skills by finding effective ways to explain engineering concepts to students at various academic levels.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
It is crucial to support the next generation of engineers, as they will be the ones to tackle future challenges. By giving back, we can help them learn and grow so they are prepared to step up when the time comes.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Honest. Driven. Responsible.
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 Valentina Saenz | Junior | Environmental and Ecological Engineering
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
A family away from home that supports, encourages, and celebrates my personal and professional growth. Being part of this team is invaluable because I get to connect and collaborate with inspiring women from diverse disciplines while actively contributing to the development of the next generation of engineers.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
Because as society advances, the challenges we face, like climate change, grow in complexity. We need to share our knowledge, experiences, and passion with the next generation of engineers to empower them and inspire them to find innovative solutions.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Driven. Caring. Detail-oriented.
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 Lillian Slack | Junior | Environmental and Ecological Engineering
What have you gained from participating in the WiE outreach team?
Participating in the WiE outreach team has given me experience in being a more versatile leader and enhanced my patience and ability to think on my feet.
Why do you believe it is important to give back to the future generation of engineers?
I believe it is important to give back to the future generations of engineers because it shows the students we work with all the opportunities they have, while also giving us college students the opportunity to learn about leadership alongside them.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Confident. Adaptable. Persistent.
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- Outreach K-10
- Access Engineering
- Imagination, Innovation, Discovery, and Design (Grades K-5)
- Innovation to Reality (Grades: 6-8)
- Engineering FYI: For Your Imagination (Grades Incoming: 7, 8, & 9)
- Connecting Engineers Online (Grades 7-8)
- Introduce A Girl To Engineering Day (Grades: 9 & 10)
- Outreach Leadership Team
