W-STEM is an organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at The University of California, Merced.
Currently, women are an underrepresented group in STEM, holding less than 25% of available STEM jobs. W-STEM is a group of undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, staff and faculty at UC Merced – of all gender identities – who seek to engage and support women in STEM fields. In order to foster community between those interested in women’s issues in STEM, we hold monthly events, including an annual invited seminar, highlighting challenges for women in academic and non-academic STEM pursuits. We also sponsor a mentorship program for women at all levels at UC Merced.
By providing professional development and mentorship opportunities tailored to the specific challenges faced by women in STEM, it is our mission to increase the retention of women in STEM fields, and ultimately facilitate increases in the representation of women in leadership roles within STEM fields, both at UC Merced and beyond.