From left: College of Engineering and Computer Science students Maxine Otieno, Asma Khalil and Frode Flos van der Schans. Photo courtesy of CECS.
Three years ago, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Engineering and Computer Science Chief of Staff Sara Jackson had “one of my wild ideas.”
Approximately 21% of CECS students are female, Jackson said, a figure that has risen from 15% just five years ago. As she brainstormed ways to continue to increase the number of CECS female students, she was struck by the notion of paying homage to the college’s students on International Women’s Day—a global celebration observed annually on March 8 which serves as a call to action for gender equality and women’s rights around the world and honors the social, cultural and political accomplishments of women.
“In our pursuit to underscore our college’s commitment towards bolstering female enrollment in engineering and computer science, we had this wild idea of highlighting our international female students,” Jackson explained.
In 2022, the college highlighted the successes of Ruona Uwusiaba, a one-time Mocs basketball player. A civil engineering major who came to the U.S. from Nigeria as a 10th grader, Uwusiaba was—at that time—balancing a course load of 19 credit hours, two evening classes, working 18 hours each week in an engineering internship at TVA, and was the single mom of a 3-year-old son.
In 2023, CECS extolled the virtues of Tuqa Ali, an accomplished business and data analyst from Sudan who received both a master’s degree in data analytics and an MBA last December from UTC.
“If it happens more than twice, it is a tradition, right?” Jackson said with a smile. “This has now become a CECS tradition, and since this is the third year, our staff members have chosen three women to recognize.”
The CECS International Women’s Day spotlight in 2024 now shines brightly on master’s students Asma Khalil and Maxine Otieno and sophomore Frode Flos van der Schans.
“These students have made contributions to both UTC and their respective CECS majors, and their presence can inspire and motivate younger students to pursue careers in engineering and computer science,” said CECS Interim Dean Ahad Nasab. “Highlighting their achievements demonstrates the college’s commitment to increasing female enrollment in STEM disciplines.”
Khalil, a native of Sudan, has maintained a perfect GPA in her master’s level construction management degree. Jackson said she has supported the college with graduate outreach “and continues to provide excellent marketing assistance.”
Otieno, a native of Kenya, is a master’s student in civil engineering. She is very proactive on the career front, Jackson said, “advocating for all international students to have sponsorship information posted alongside career opportunities.” Otieno currently works as a research assistant with UC Foundation Professor Mbaki Onyango on climate change and its impacts on pavement infrastructure.
Flos van der Schans, a sophomore from the Netherlands, is a mechanical engineering major and a member of the UTC women’s basketball team.
“Maxine, Asma, and Frode, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your courage and fearlessness in traversing borders to venture into a traditionally male-dominated domain,” Nasab said. “Your unwavering determination has propelled you to the pinnacle of success.”
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