On October 21, The College of Engineering and Computing Sciences of New York Institute of Technology welcomed students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals to Harry Schure Hall for a Women in STEM Panel that highlighted the achievements and challenges of women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The featured distinguished panelists represented a range of industries, from electrical contracting and consulting to biotechnology, software engineering, and global technology services.

Panelists

The panel was moderated by Ms. Karolina Soler (M.B.A. ’18), Interim Account Executive, Google, and the panelists were:

•             Andra Voicu (B.S. ’08)– President, Mac Fhionnghaile and Sons Electrical Contracting Inc.

•             Joyce Onore (B.S. ’10)– Project Manager, Deloitte

•             Elizabeth Dwulit (B.S. ’17) – Senior Software Engineer, Clever Devices

•             Judy Murrah – Strategic Transition Advisor, Applied DNA Sciences

•             Rhonda Green – Escalation Manager, Zebra Technologies

The afternoon began with opening remarks by Dean Babak Beheshti, Ph.D., who underscored the urgency of breaking barriers for women in STEM. Citing national statistics that show women earn nearly half of all undergraduate degrees but remain underrepresented in engineering and computer science, he called on educators, mentors, and industry leaders to build inclusive environments, provide strong mentorship, and challenge systemic biases.

Moderated by Karolina Soler, the panelists shared their journeys, spoke candidly about overcoming stereotypes and barriers, and offered advice for young women seeking to enter STEM fields. From lessons on leadership and communication in high-stakes environments to the importance of mentorship and professional networking, the discussion was both practical and inspiring.

“Society cannot afford to lose out on half of its talent pool when addressing the grand challenges of the 21st century.”, said Dean Beheshti.

The event concluded with an engaging audience Q&A, followed by an invitation to tour the Biomedical Research Innovation and Imaging Center (BRIIC). Attendees left with a renewed sense of possibility, encouraged by the panelists’ stories and united in the mission of building a more inclusive STEM community.