WISE Initiative: Empowering Women in Industrial and Systems Engineering – Impacts, Strategies, and Future Plans

Abstract

Women in Industrial and Systems Engineering (WISE) started as a social group within Virginia Tech (VT)’s ISE department in 2016 and became an official student group in 2021. Operating under the broader ISE department, WISE connects ISE’s specialties like human factors and ergonomics engineering, operations research, manufacturing, and management systems. By uniting faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students, WISE aims to develop well-rounded engineers and empower women in ISE. Our mission is to empower members through formal networking events, workshops, and informal gatherings. With over 65 active members, WISE hosts at least four events yearly and is working on creating an alumni network. This paper explores WISE's impact, strategies, and future plans, aiming to inspire similar initiatives elsewhere.