Hudson County Community College is Breaking Down Barriers for Female STEM Students

HCCC’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) stages dynamic events encouraging female students to pursue STEM education.

May 22, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – It’s a sad reality that women are traditionally underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), making up just a third of the workforce in these careers. The good news is that schools like Hudson County Community College (HCCC) are working to break down these barriers and elevate women in STEM fields through a variety of inspirational and instructional events and workshops. 

This spring semester, HCCC’s School of STEM hosted multiple events designed to introduce female students to STEM fields and encourage them to pursue educational and career pathways in the sciences, including a Women in STEM event and Girls in Technology conference.  

HCCC joined forces with nearby Saint Peter’s University to offer female students a compelling look at the career path of a woman who has garnered significant success in the sciences. Sponsored by the HCCC School of STEM, the HCCC American Chemical Society (ACS), the HCCC President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (PACDEI), and the Department of Chemistry at Saint Peter’s University, Saint Peter’s Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Yosra Baidei led a lively discussion about the successes and challenges of her career as a woman in STEM while also paying homage to the many mentors and advisors who supported her along her journey. This was the third installment of the annual event series started by the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-Chair, American Chemical Society Advisor and Instructor of Chemistry Raffi Manjikian.

Dr. Badiei grew up in Cairo, Egypt, and graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the American University in Cairo. She then obtained her Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Georgetown University and was the recipient of the Harold Glassman Award for Best Dissertation in Sciences in 2010. Dr. Badiei pursued her postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory. She performs research with Saint Peter’s University undergraduate students in the areas of molecular catalysis, inorganic and organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, water oxidation, electrode fabrication, and catalyst immobilization for making sustainable energy fuels.

The Women in STEM event drew 135 attendees. According to Dr. Burl Yearwood, Dean of HCCC’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), “The event was a great example of how HCCC’s School of STEM incorporates and combines the College’s overarching principles of student success and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The School of STEM looks forward to hosting more DEI-related events, and we are hopeful that the high turnout and our proximity to Saint Peter’s University will lead to more collaborative science events in the future.” 
Professor Manjikian added, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are needed in STEM fields. We need more women to pursue STEM education, and this event served as an outstanding opportunity for our students to hear from a woman who has overcome challenges and achieved significant success in this field. It inspired our students and reminded them that they, too, can enjoy successful careers in the sciences.”  

HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber agreed, stating “It’s an unfortunate reality that women have been historically underrepresented in the STEM disciplines, but we are proud that our School of STEM is working hard to change this, and making good progress.” 

 

HCCC’s Girls in Technology (GIT) conference, hosted by the School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) and the School of STEM, engages girls in middle and high schools in a variety of technological panels, speakers, and workshops. 

HCCC’s Girls Who Code (GWC) Club immerses local students in a comprehensive and engaging Python coding lesson, led by GWC President Dalia Poblano and Secretary Yara Attia. The club recently won recognition with an honorable mention from the national Girls Who Code organization. The club is advised by Professor Manjikian and Laura Samuelson, Instructor of Academic Foundations Mathematics. 

For many, the hands-on lesson was their first exposure to coding. Students from Hudson County schools and organizations like the Jose Marti STEM Academy in Union City, County Prep High School in Jersey City, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, and others came away from the event with a newfound understanding of how coding powers many of the applications they interact with daily. 

Girls Who Code President Dalia Poblano reflected on the impact of HCCC’s efforts to promote women in STEM on her own academic journey, explaining, “As a female computer science major at HCCC, I have been able to experience innovative programs such as the Women in STEM event hosted by the American Chemical Society Chapter at Hudson, and the annual Girls in Technology conference. Being a part of these amazing opportunities, as well as serving as the President of both the Girls Who Code Club and the American Chemical Society, all have fostered my passion for STEM and helped me persist in my tech career choice.”

The importance of hosting events like Girls In Technology is reflected in the event’s high attendance. Many of the girls in attendance may not have received this exposure to the technology field if it weren’t for events like GIT. HCCC students, faculty, and staff believe showcasing these skills to a younger generation of females helps close the gender gap in technology and is a vital part of their job.