Associate professor offers testimony before congressional subcommittee

Associate professor offers testimony before congressional subcommittee

Barbara Bogue, associate professor of engineering science and mechanics and women in engineering, appeared before a House subcommittee on July 21 to discuss female student involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Bogue spoke to the Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research on Science and Education at a hearing titled "Encouraging the Participation of Female Students in STEM Fields." The meeting was held in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

She was one of five witnesses brought in to discuss current research findings, best practices and the role of federal agencies in increasing the interest of girls in STEM in primary and secondary school, as well as the obstacles that keep women from pursuing post-secondary degrees in these fields.

Bogue was asked to provide an overview of the Society of Women Engineers' Assessing Women in Engineering Project. She was also asked to identify the biggest barriers to recruiting and retaining women in STEM fields and what programs have been effective in addressing those challenges.

Bogue served for a number of years as the head of Penn State's Women in Engineering Program. She continues to direct, design and implement recruitment and retention programs for women in the College of Engineering. Bogue has also developed and designed courses that address specific areas of difficulty for marginalized populations.

Bogue won the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring as well as the Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network Betty Vetter Research Award.

Also testifying were Alan Leshner, chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; Marcia Brumit Kropf, chief operating officer of Girls Incorporated; Sandra Hanson, professor of sociology at Catholic University; and Cherryl Thomas, president of Ardmore Associates.

More information on the hearing, as well as a PDF of the hearing charter, can be found at http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=2541 online.