Jennifer Winikus named Chair-Elect of Women Engineers Local Advisory Board
By Nicole Capozziello
Published September 4, 2019 This content is archived.
Jennifer Winikus, assistant professor of teaching in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, has been selected to chair the Women Engineers (WE) Local Advisory Board.
The Local Advisory Board is the committee that oversees strategic planning for each of the five WE Local North American conferences, smaller conferences held each spring. In 2020, these conferences will be in San Diego, Des Moines, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, and Buffalo. The 2020 Society of Women Engineer’s (SWE) Annual Conference, which draws close to 15,000 attendees, will be held in New Orleans from November 5-7.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to make a more strategic contribution to SWE and to lead a great group of members on the WE Local Advisory Board,” says Winikus.
The Buffalo conference will take place March 27 and 28, 2020. In her role as Chair-Elect in 2020, Winikus will help lead the committee through all tactical aspects of planning and oversight of the conference, including programming, awards, collegiate competition, and social activities. She will also act as a liaison to the Conference Advisory Board, the group that oversees SWE’s Annual Conference.
“A key role as a member of the committee in general is to advocate for the diverse membership of SWE in the decisions made for the WE Local conferences,” says Winikus.
In 2021, Winikus will transition to the role of Chair, acting as the leader of strategic planning of the WE Local Conference.
Since 1950, SWE has sought to “empower women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion.”
Winikus has been a member of SWE since 2013. “SWE has been pivotal in my life and career, starting in 2014 when I gave my first conference research presentation at a SWE conference,” says Winikus. “I am grateful for the community SWE provides, which offers amazing networking opportunities, professional development resources, volunteer experiences, and leadership opportunities.”
In this video, learn how UB has made it part of its mission to change gender inequality in STEM professions, not only through academics but through initiatives to raise awareness and access to STEM fields for students who may not otherwise consider making it a career choice.