How these 4 US STEM universities are using diversity to create success

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields have consistently played an important role in humanity’s greatest feats. Time after time, we have depended on STEM to ease our troubles or bring us further to the future, and through this field, we are able to advance to quantum computing, sustainable energy and early commercial space travel.

In 2022, diversity is injecting a steady stream of fresh new ideas and innovations from all walks of life. Hungarian biochemist Katalin Karikó laid the groundwork for mRNA vaccines while working in US universities, emerging as one of the heroes of COVID-19 vaccine development. Kenyan chemist Jane Catherine Ngila was awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award for her nanotechnology-based analytical methods to monitor water pollutants. 

If you plan to join these dynamic fields, consider these four US universities.

Miami University

Miami University is where ambition meets purpose, preparing students for a lifetime of success. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this public institution has a history dating back to 1809, making it the 10th oldest public university in the United States. With more than 17,000 undergraduates and more than 2,300 graduate students, Miami attracts students from diverse backgrounds, including students from 79 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

Miami’s College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) offers degrees that prepare students for success in the corporate world as entrepreneurs, business owners, and more. Tech-savvy students can join programs such as BS in Chemical Engineering, BS in Electrical Engineering, BS in Mechanical Engineering, BS in Computer Science, and BS in Software Engineering.

Here, experienced faculty members teach theory in small classes. In laboratories, these modules come to life as students use equipment and simulate practical applications of ideas, concepts, and skills. Through the Curricular Practical Training program, international students can join internships sponsored by the industry and coordinated by the Center for Career Exploration & Success as well.

A Miami, education is as multidisciplinary as it is experiential. CEC students can conduct research and leverage the university’s multidisciplinary approach, while enhancing their entrepreneurship skills. Students and faculty members have explored the mapping of microplastics to gain data that help scientists and policymakers, and they have won grants to improve the stability of enzymes in detergents at high temperatures.

The University of Texas at Arlington

With 60 years of experience, the University of Texas at Arlington offers a comprehensive set of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering. Source: the University of Texas at Arlington / Facebook

50 of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Texas, so it’s no surprise that the second-largest state in the US is a popular choice for aspiring engineers. Promising progression into industries are key when choosing a university, and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) delivers industrial placements in spades for its engineering students. UTA’s College of Engineering is a place of passion meeting precision, where students from all over the world converge in an award-winning faculty. The most comprehensive engineering program in North Texas provides 11 bachelor’s, 13 master’s and nine doctoral degrees for prospects to choose from in a university that’s been ranked as the fifth most-diverse in the US.

For women, the Society of Women Engineers has been a driver in foregrounding the full potential and achievements of its members. Under the Department of Civil Engineering, students can take on granular niche concentrations in areas such as Structural Engineering and Mechanics, Water Resource Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering to devise artful improvements on infrastructure planning.

Women in the faculty are making headlines for their work. Assistant professor Warda Ashraf, who received the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award (YFA), is embarking on a project to study ancient Classical structures for possible synthetic replication, while Melanie L. Sattler is one of UTA’s acclaimed civil engineering professors with a long history of research and teaching excellence. These faculty strengths definitely foster a supportive environment for women to pursue impactful careers that shape our built environment.

Clarkson University

Where there’s a gap in knowledge application, Clarkson University students strive to find inventive answers. Source: Clarkson University / Facebook

Where there’s a gap in knowledge application, Clarkson University students strive to find inventive answers. This private, national research university in Potsdam, New York works at the intersection of science, technology and business to change the way industries operate. 

The university’s unflagging commitment to advancement is underscored by the Institute for STEM Education, which seeks to connect students, faculty and professionals for birthing next-generation leaders in innovation through sophisticated pedagogy.

For women engineers, the Coulter School of Engineering prioritizes teamwork and building relationships, as ideas can only flourish in collaboration with others. Women in engineering thrive under strong peer support, and Clarkson University has its fair share of civil engineers who break the mould. 

The Civil Engineering programme offers several minors and concentrations for students, including affiliated courses such as Architectural and Facilities Engineering and Project Management Minor to complement their learning. This flexibility allows for knowledge expansion that results in well-rounded women graduates who can secure competitive co-ops and internships to occupy their rightful place in the field.

Oklahoma State University

At Oklahoma State University (OSU), women are already taking the reins in research and administrative leadership. Source: Oklahoma State University / Facebook

Pair a classic American college town atmosphere with a Carnegie classified R1 research university, and you get a life-changing education in a welcoming community. If that sounds right up your alley, Oklahoma State University (OSU) is the place for you. With a clear mission to amplify life-improving research, the university was recently awarded a record-breaking US $6 million grant that will aid K-12 initiatives across the state.

One of OSU’s leading colleges is the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) where top-ranked faculty members are instigating smart, sustainable systems beyond textbook solutions. 

With many opportunities to work on paid undergraduate research work, hands-on studies are done in tandem with theoretical instructions, providing for excellent preparation in ethical professional practice. 

Exciting, world-class research opportunities await at the Bert Cooper Engineering Laboratory, and a wide range of competitive scholarships are open to bright learners for enhancement in technical competence in a diverse student body and faculty.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International