SPC Receives INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine’s 2019 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

St. Philip’s College Receives INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine’s 2019 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

Today, St. Philip’s received the 2019 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

St. Philip’s College will be featured, along with 49 other recipients, in the September 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives. 

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected St. Philip’s College’s Women in Non-Traditional Occupations because the program, now in its 11th year, significantly increases interest in careers underrepresented by women. WINTO supports high school and college students by hosting an annual conference, featuring speakers who are women in male-dominated fields. Last year’s conference keynote speaker was Elizabeth McCormick, U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot. 

Ten years ago, St. Philip’s College introduced the first WINTO conference, and now the event hosts 200 to 300 participants annually. The program is designed to support high school girls interested in careers such as plumbing, HVAC, aircraft technician, advanced manufacturing and more. Through WINTO, young women can engage in services and activities that can help them overcome obstacles in the male-dominated industries and feel empowered by expanding their horizons into the technical education fields. 

Manuel Navarro is the program director and Diane Galvan is academic program specialist. The event is held in celebration of National Women's History Month. It is grant-funded by the Carl D. Perkins’ Basic Grant and includes post-conference workshops for faculty and staff. 

“The goal of WINTO is to ensure that every female student enrolled in nontraditional occupations is helped to realize her capability for learning, raise her qualifications and follow a pathway tailored to her aptitudes and aspirations," said St. Philip’s College Vice President for Academic Success Randall Dawson.

WINTO encompasses a variety of services and activities for students enrolled in programs nontraditional for their gender in an effort to improve retention and graduation rates.

The program also offers leadership opportunities and networking with employers to make a smooth transition from the classroom into the workplace.

“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner, and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine [insightintodiversity.com]. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education today and is known for its annual INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award that recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses.

Caption: 2019 WINTO Conference at the Southwest Campus with guest speaker, Black Hawk Pilot Elizabeth McCormick.