Hijab Khan of Pakistan is an environmental engineering student 7,500 miles and a pandemic away from 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis. But still, she has inspired at least one student here, gained a mentor and had what she considers one of the most valuable experiences of her life.
Khan is one of three female students from Pakistan who participated 鈥 virtually 鈥 in two summer courses and individual mentorships at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis through the .
鈥淲ithout a doubt, it is one of the best experiences of my life,鈥 said Khan, who is entering her final year of undergraduate study at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan.
Led by American University and funded primarily by the U.S. Department of State, Sister2Sister enables about 20 Pakistani women each summer to participate in undergraduate courses at American universities. The courses are mostly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.
The program invited 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis to be a hosting partner, and this was the campus鈥檚 first summer to do so. A total of eight universities provided opportunities for 16 Pakistani women.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the perfect fit for us given 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 emphasis on access and equity in STEM education as well as on global engagement and learning,鈥 said Michael Lazzara, associate vice provost of academic programs and partnerships for .
Sister2Sister aims to help young women 鈥渙vercome cultural limitations that inhibit their participation" in pursuing competitive careers, and to contribute to Pakistan鈥檚 economy, according to the program鈥檚 website.
鈥淭he ability of these young women to complete university is not a given,鈥 said Beth Broome, senior advisor to the provost on at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis.
Faculty and peer mentors
Global Affairs and STEM Strategies partnered to create an experience that would be enriching not only for the Pakistani students but also for 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis students and faculty. The exchange students audited a course related to their field of study as well as a new course on . In what was an Aggie bonus, 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis paired each student with faculty and peer mentors.
For all Sister2Sister participants, 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis also hosted a virtual discussion in which 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis women faculty and others shared how they overcome barriers and stereotypes in STEM to develop their careers in academia, research and industry.
The highlight of the whole program has to have been the one-on-one sessions that I had with both of my mentors 鈥 Hijab Khan
Khan is hungry for learning opportunities. She said she wants to earn a doctoral degree, get experience in international settings and then return to Pakistan to help address some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For Sister2Sister, Khan said she was thrilled to be matched with 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis 鈥 she knew the campus was ranked fifth in the nation and sixth in the world in environmental science and engineering.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 two other matches are majoring in applied biosciences and food science and technology at Pakistani universities.
Khan said her 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis classes included students from several countries. 鈥淭he diversity was there,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t was a beautiful amalgamation.鈥
鈥楬ealthy and fruitful conversations鈥
Serving as mentors to Khan were transfer student Ansley Guillebeau, who is on track to complete a degree in environmental engineering this fall, and Colleen Bronner, an associate professor of teaching in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
鈥淭he highlight of the whole program has to have been the one-on-one sessions that I had with both of my mentors," Khan said. 鈥淲e would have very healthy and fruitful conversations.鈥
Guillebeau said she was inspired by Khan鈥檚 passion for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 鈥淭hat inspired me to recommit to the lens of sustainability,鈥 said the Aggie, who plans to pursue graduate studies and be a consultant for water quality and treatment.
Bronner was a natural fit as a mentor for Khan. She has research interests in diversity and inclusion in engineering and is faculty advisor to the campus chapter of Engineers Without Borders.
Bronner said she and Khan talked about the workings of academic programs, graduate school, women in engineering, science misinformation and more. She said she enjoyed the meetings and even sought Khan鈥檚 input on a First-Year Seminar she is redeveloping into an upper division course on social justice and engineering solutions to global socio-technical problems.
鈥淢entoring relationships flow both ways,鈥 said Bronner, adding she and Khan have agreed to continue to talk every other week.
鈥淚鈥檝e never had a mentor before,鈥 Khan said. 鈥淚鈥檓 blessed.鈥