The national Society of Women Engineers was established in 1950 by a group of women who wanted to make their way into professions that did not necessarily welcome them. Their goal was not to agitate but rather to have the opportunity to develop their abilities, give expression to their potential and to contribute to society. Today, SWE’s mission is to inspire women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity.

History of SWE at Mines
First brought to Mines in 1968 with a membership of five students, the school’s SWE section now has over 800 members, making it the largest collegiate SWE section in the U.S. and the largest student organization at Mines. One of Mines SWE’s goals is to educate and empower the next generation of women engineers and scientists and address current and emerging local, national and global opportunities and challenges.  This is accomplished through weekly meetings focused on developing professional and personal skills, providing opportunities for leadership experiences, building networking contacts with recruiters and alumnae at the annual Evening with Industry and Networking Night events and establishing a strong and empowering community for women.

A Commitment to Community Outreach
In addition to campus-focused activities, SWE also commits itself to community outreach through a partnership with Girl Scouts of Colorado, inviting 5th and 6th grade Girl Scouts to campus each year to learn about science and engineering, hosting the annual Girls Lead the Way leadership conference to engage with high school girls and volunteering to judge science fairs and participate in math and science nights at local elementary and middle schools, acting as role models and mentors to encourage girls to pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields.

SWE continues to make a positive impact regarding Mines’ campus culture and serves as a model for other SWE collegiate sections in the nation.

 SWE Signature Events   

• Welcome Back BBQ – Sponsored by Xcel Energy
• Faculty Appreciation Luncheon
• Evening with Industry
• Networking Reception  
• Girl Scout Engineering Day – Jr. Girl Scouts outreach
• Girls on the Rise – Middle school outreach
• Girls Lead the Way Conference – High school outreach
• Math and Science Nights
• Continuum 
• Service to Succeed – Sponsored by Schlumberger