(Left to right) Roselyn Chin, Hadia Safi, Juliet Chang, Nishitha Reddy Nomula (Photo/Courtesy: WIE Viterbi)
For twenty years, Women in Engineering (WIE) has been building more than programs. It has been building confidence, leadership, and a lasting sense of possibility, one student, one breakthrough, and one community at a time. And that story is worth sharing, because it shows what becomes possible when women in engineering are supported, celebrated, and empowered to lead.
Over the past two decades, the program has impacted more than 20,000 students through mentorship, leadership development, wellness initiatives, research opportunities, and professional networking. What began as a vision to support women in engineering has grown into a community rooted in belonging, purpose, and empowerment. WIE has cultivated a culture where students are encouraged to speak up, take risks, and see themselves not only as engineering students, but as innovators, researchers, and leaders capable of shaping the future.
“WIE has created a welcoming, positive, and supportive culture for the past two decades of women in engineering by fostering community, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation of engineers,” said Ellie Xing, USC WIE chair and a computer science student graduating in 2026. “Through mentorship, networking, and wellness programs, WIE has helped thousands of women pursue opportunities they fully deserve.”
The impact is measurable. Women represent 66% of recent Grand Challenges Scholars designees, and more than half of the Center for Undergraduate Research in Viterbi Engineering (CURVE) participants identify as women, reflecting WIE’s encouragement of research, global engagement, and interdisciplinary learning.
WIE’s growth has been driven by dedicated students who serve on the WIE board each year, planning and executing programs that center on a sense of belonging, collaboration, and community. Through their leadership, WIE continues to offer mentorship, networking, wellness partnerships, and monthly community-building events that connect students with resources and one another. Outreach initiatives such as WIE Connect and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day extend this impact to hundreds of K–12 students annually, helping build early pathways into STEM and reinforcing that engineering is a space where they belong.
(Photo/Courtesy: WIE Viterbi)
For many students, WIE is the difference between feeling uncertain and feeling grounded in their place within engineering.
“As a freshman, I didn’t feel like I belonged or could find my footing in the field,” shared Kahala Neumann, WIE vice chair and industrial and systems engineering student. “Through the support of the WIE community, I gained confidence in my path and exposure to new opportunities and achievements.”
This sustained impact is especially significant in a national context where women remain underrepresented in engineering. While women make up roughly a quarter of undergraduate engineering students across the United States, USC Viterbi has achieved gender parity in its entering undergraduate class since 2019. It is this legacy of progress that makes WIE’s 20th anniversary more than a celebration; it is a statement.
The milestone year celebration began on November 13, 2025, with a panel featuring USC alumnae and trailblazing women across biomedical, civil, computer, data, electrical, mechanical, and industrial systems engineering. Their stories of transition, resilience, and leadership reinforced the power of representation and the importance of community in shaping career pathways.
Panelists included Vinutha Ananthachandran, a software engineer at Microsoft, and Vuslat Acar, vice president at Mastercard Services, both USC Viterbi alumnae whose careers reflect the global reach of WIE’s impact.
The momentum continues with the Sixth Annual WIE Leadership Conference on February 28, 2026, the program’s largest event of the year. Featuring Melissa Golubski, Chief of Staff at Coco Robotics, as the keynote speaker, the conference will bring students together for mentorship, professional development, and community-building, hallmarks of WIE’s mission.
(Photo/Courtesy: WIE Viterbi)
“Celebrating WIE’s 20th anniversary is a statement of the commitment Viterbi holds to ‘Engineering a Better World,’” said Thelma Zaragoza, Director of Specialized Student Programs. “WIE uplifts students by creating a community of support and a place where they can be part of something that solidifies their sense of belonging.”
But the true significance of this anniversary extends beyond a single year of events.
It reflects two decades of intentional investment in students who have historically been underrepresented in engineering, as well as the ripple effect of that investment. WIE graduates are now working across industries, leading teams, advancing research, and mentoring the next generation. The program’s influence lives on not only in student outcomes, but in the culture it has helped shape within engineering education.
The importance of sharing WIE’s 20th anniversary lies in this truth: progress in engineering is never accidental. It is the result of Viterbi’s sustained commitment to access and opportunity, communities that intentionally cultivate belonging, and students who are empowered to see themselves as innovators capable of shaping and changing the world.
“This 20th anniversary is a reminder of our community’s strength and commitment to empowering the lives of USC Viterbi women,” Xing said. “I’m confident that future boards will carry WIE toward our 30th, 50th, and many more milestones to come.”
This program is open to all eligible individuals. USC operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. Students interested in getting involved with WIE can visit the website or connect through the LinkTree for more information.
Published on March 6th, 2026
Last updated on March 6th, 2026