Bolstered by women, Florida Poly's Department of Mechanical Engineering defies national trends

LAKELAND, Fla., March 19, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- When female students begin pursing a mechanical engineering degree at Florida Polytechnic University, they can quickly see the world of opportunities available to women in the male-dominated field.

With a female department chair and a large percentage of female faculty members in the department, students don't have to look far to find female role models who have enjoyed successful careers in academia and industry.

According to the Society of Women Engineers, only 13% of engineers are women and only 17% of tenured/tenure-track faculty in engineering are women. At Florida Poly, women make up 36% of the mechanical engineering faculty.

"I think the diversity in personalities, gender, backgrounds, and nationalities really offers students the ability to see different types of people in the role of a mechanical engineer," said Dr. Mary Vollaro, chair of the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering. "Having a very diverse faculty allows students to see themselves in one of our faculty members."

Vollaro said when female students experience this, many of their preconceived ideas about what it means to be a woman in engineering melt away.

"We're able to get to know our students and really help them mature," she said. "I'm really happy to be part of that and to create a great environment for the department."

Professors in the department said they appreciate working in such a diverse setting.

"I appreciate this balance," said Dr. Sanna Siddiqui, whose expertise includes metal additive manufacturing. "There's a lot of open discussion and different thoughts and ideas when you have people with different backgrounds and experience levels."

Siddiqui said the wide diversity in the department, which also includes people from different ethnic, cultural, professional, and geographic backgrounds, is helpful to students.

"It serves to reinforce the concept that they can achieve anything when they see someone like themselves achieve a successful career," she said.

The remaining women working in the department are Dr. Aslihan Vuruskan, an assistant professor with research interests including aerodynamics; Dr. Zahra Sadeghizadeh, an assistant professor with research interests including thermofluids and propulsion; and Dr. Lisa Kames, the newest assistant professor in the department.

Vollaro said she hopes all students, and female students in particular, are able to find support in these role models as the University and the Department of Mechanical Engineering continue to grow and evolve.

"Like all schools, Florida Poly becomes what you make it," Vollaro said. "Come in and apply yourself and you will have an amazing experience that will last you for your entire life."

Media Contact

Lydia Guzman, Florida Polytechnic University, 863-874-8557, [email protected]

SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University