CMU's College of Science and Engineering named University Partner of the Year

We are thrilled to share exciting news from Central Michigan University's College of Science and Engineering. The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) recently honored us as the University Partner of the Year for our outstanding collaboration with the Girls in Engineering Academy (GEA). This award is given to an organizational partner who has gone above and beyond, and we are deeply proud to be recognized in this way.

Our journey with the GEA program has been incredibly rewarding. In the summer of 2023, we hosted two cohorts of high school girls, and in the summer of 2024, we welcomed another cohort. These young women had the opportunity to engage in immersive STEM education both on our main campus and at the Biological Station on Beaver Island. This marks a significant milestone as it’s the first time a university outside of southeast Michigan has hosted a GEA cohort, and it’s also the first instance where GEA students have experienced authentic biological fieldwork through the program.

This partnership with ESD is a testament to our commitment to empowering young women, historically marginalized in STEM fields. The GEA program is transformative, encouraging middle and high school girls to embrace their brilliance through hands-on, project-based STEM exploration. At CMU, we contribute to this mission by offering unique educational experiences that integrate our strengths in engineering and technology, freshwater research, coastal wetland ecology, and even fashion design. Moreover, the program provides our college students invaluable opportunities to serve as instructors and campus mentors, fostering their growth in teaching and leadership.

“I can confidently say that the GEA program is one of the most impactful initiatives I have encountered in my nearly 30 years in academia – the program is technically strong while being fun and building a sense of belonging,” said Dr. David Ford, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at CMU. "Our collaboration with GEA is a shining example of our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice within the College of Science and Engineering."