Diversity and representation in engineering have become cornerstones of academic and professional conversations, especially in fields like computer science and computer engineering, where women and minorities have been historically underrepresented.

Paige Pisano, Angela Leon, and Julia Gutgesell, three women enrolled in the Master of Engineering programs at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, are the change the fields need to challenge these norms. These Boeing Scholars, among the 455 Master of Engineering students enrolled at the Innovation Campus, are passionate about their work and the importance of representation in STEM.

From biomedical engineering to machine learning

For Paige Pisano '24, the experience in computer engineering has been empowering. A Northern Virginia native and recent Virginia Tech graduate, Pisano is pursuing a master’s degree in computer engineering with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). She moved to this track from biomedical engineering while she was an undergraduate.

“I had gotten this internship the summer after my sophomore year, and it was wildly different from anything I’d done in school,” said Pisano. “I was working in ML and large language model flows. That was when my interest in computer engineering and computer science started, and from there, I started picking more classes related to engineering.”

Pisano said the gender balance in her biomedical engineering program was wildly different than in computer engineering. But, she said, “I have never felt out of place or unsupported. The professors here and in Blacksburg are equally as encouraging, and the students are equally as excited to get to know me. The community has done everything to make me feel included.”

She was also an active participant in Virginia Tech’s supportive environment as an undergraduate. As a first year, she was a member of Hypatia, the engineering living-learning community for women, and later joined the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity throughout college.

When she began looking to pursue her master’s degree, she searched for the same commitment to inclusivity and found it in the Innovation Campus. “The Innovation Campus does a good job of bringing women and other minorities into engineering fields,” said Pisano. “This diversity is important to growth and learning.”

The constant sense of belonging she has felt at Virginia Tech inspired her to encourage more girls to pursue STEM opportunities.

Her academic and professional focus on AI and machine learning continues to open doors. “My internship experiences and senior design project, where I helped design a hydration monitor and made the accompanying app, led me here. I see myself doing research in AI or ML. The Innovation Campus, with its focus on technology and industry preparedness, is a perfect fit,” Pisano said.

Engineering a new career in cybersecurity

Angela Leon is a career changer. A mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Virginia, Leon spent five years working as a design engineer with Parsons Corporation before deciding to return to school to pursue her master's degree in computer engineering. Her goal is to pursue a career in network security and, like Pisano, she finds inspiration in female representation in STEM.

“I’ve had so many inspirational women in my life, both personally and professionally, and I want to be that same source of inspiration,” said Leon, who started gradaute school this fall. “I want to encourage more women to pursue advanced STEM degrees. Representation is key.”

Leon followed in her brother’s footsteps by pursuing an engineering degree at Virginia Tech. “My brother was a Hokie and always said that Tech was a great engineering school,” said Leon. So when she went on a run past the construction site of the Innovation Campus’ Academic Building One and saw the banners that advertised graduate programs in computer science and computer engineering, she felt everything aligned. “I’ve always had a special place for Tech in my heart, so I knew this was perfect for me.”

She feels connected to the greater Washington, D.C., metro area’s professional landscape, especially within the federal government.

“I already have clearance and work full-time with the government while I’m pursuing my degree,” said Leon. “But I want to specialize further in cybersecurity. There are endless opportunities here, and I want to continue applying what I’ve learned in a way that pushes me into a more focused career in network security.”

Leon’s role as a woman in STEM is not only about personal achievement, but also about broadening the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in technology.

Blending data analytics and computer science

Julia Gutgesell’s journey to computer science was guided by mentors and self-motivation. Gutgesell didn’t initially plan on pursuing a master’s degree in computer science, but was encouraged by one of her female professors at Virginia Tech. This professor suggested she consider the accelerated 4+1 track, where she could receive credits that double-counted toward her bachelor’s degree in computational modeling and data analytics (CMDA) and her master’s degree.

The experience of having a female professor was incredibly meaningful. “Having someone who not only looked like me but also supported me so much was inspiring,” said Gutgesell. “I wouldn’t have even considered this career path if it wasn’t for her encouragement.”

A part-time student at the Innovation Campus, Gutgesell is combining her knowledge of data analytics with newly learned skills in computer engineering. “The beauty of my degrees is that I’ve been able to blend the two. Data engineering and AI perfectly intersect with the skills I learned in CMDA. I hope to find a job that allows me to leverage both skill sets.”

Like Pisano and Leon, Gutgesell values the variety of opportunities available in the D.C. area. “Being here, so close to the job market, is totally different from being an undergrad in Blacksburg. The opportunities for networking and real-world applications of what we’re learning are endless,” she said.

The importance of representation in engineering

What unites these three Boeing Scholars is not just their academic achievements, but their firm belief in the importance of diversity and representation in computer science and engineering. Each woman emphasizes the importance of a supportive network in mentors, communities, or learning environments that celebrate diversity. The students’ time at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus has reinforced that diversity and inclusion in technology leads to innovation and growth.

Boeing, a foundational partner of the Innovation Campus, has invested $50 million to support sustainability, diversity, innovation, and the computer science and computer engineering tech talent pipeline.

The Innovation Campus is committed to equipping graduates to become leaders in their careers while helping them gain real-world experience solving urgent challenges alongside researchers, industry executives, and national policymakers. With a focus on the research areas of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Wireless and Next Gen Technology, Quantum Information Science, and Intelligent Interfaces, the campus is powering a pipeline of premier tech talent and building the foundation for a new era of technology.

Contact:

Tags

Share this story