Women in the Academy (WIA)

Amy Marcarelli doing research at a stream.

The mission of WIA is to support and increase the number of women faculty at Michigan Technological University through increased recruitment, advancement, and career success. Everyone who supports our mission is welcome.

We share ideas on multiple topics at our WIA opportunities throughout each semester, such as building a supportive community, empowering faculty colleagues, enhancing professional development, creating a friendly climate, finding work/life balance, and preparing faculty for leadership positions.

If you would like additional information, please contact us.

Complete this form if you'd like to Join WIA

Spring 2026

Spring 2026 Breakfast with Provost Andrew Storer, March 27, 7:30a.m. - 9:30a.m.

  • The Women in Academy breakfast event is an opportunity to gather as a group and openly discuss issues of interest with Provost Storer. We will have some questions prepared and will also open the floor for your questions. If you have questions that you want to ask but wish to do so anonymously, please include them in the RSVP or email them to Tara Bal (tlbal@mtu.edu) or Smitha Rao (smithar@mtu.edu).
  • There will be a traditional breakfast with coffee, tea, and orange juice, including vegetarian options. If you have any additional dietary restrictions, please share them in the RSVP so we can do our best to accommodate.  Breakfast will start at 7:30, but our discussions with the Provost will begin closer to 8:00 a.m.
  • This event is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and WIA. 

Event date: March 27th, 2026 (RSVP by March 16th, 2026)

Time: 7:30 am to 9:30 am

Location: Alumni lounge, MUB

 

Save the Date!  April 8, 2026 (Wednesday) Breakfast Social - more details soon. 

Fall 2025

Fall 2025 Breakfast Social, Friday November 14, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  • Please join Women in the Academy (WIA) for a breakfast celebrating the end of the fall semester. Stop by the MUB Ballroom B1/B2 anytime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025. A full breakfast, coffee, tea, and juice will be provided.

  • This event is supported by the Office of the Provost.

Past Events:

Spring 2025 Breakfast with Provost Andrew Storer, March 17, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Fall 2024 Breakfast, Thursday November 14, 2024, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Spring 2024 Breakfast, Tuesday April 23, 2024, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Fall 2023 Workshop: "Empowering Women to be Leaders in Science and Engineering: Leadership and Negotiation" Presented by Dr. Pushpa Murthy

Women scientists take on leadership roles every day, in the classroom, in their department or institution and in their professional organizations. This workshop is designed to give participants the basic concepts of leadership, describe recent research on leadership qualities that lead to success and failure, discuss effective leadership styles for women in different cultures, provide strategies for career advancement into leadership roles, discuss effective negotiating techniques and developing and maintaining strong leadership networks. Dr. Murthy has offered silimar workshops across the world. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and WIA.  Event date: October 13th, 2023