A Slippery Rock University student is giving women in engineering on campus a space to form relationships with one another and with engineering professionals outside of the University. Martina Tatalias, a rising senior mechanical engineering major from Bethel Park (Bethel Park HS), is empowering women as president of a student organization, the Society of Women Engineers’ SRU chapter.
“We serve as a supportive group for girls in engineering since we’re such a niche group on campus,” Tatalias said. “We stick together because engineering is such a male dominated field, so some of our events are social so that the girls can get to know each other, and others are networking events with industry professionals.”
Tatalias also spoke of the importance of representation within the sciences.
“We recently went to a local Society of Women Engineers conference, and they brought in the president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers who is also a woman,” Tatalias said. “It was amazing to see all of those influential women in the field. It’s very empowering to see women in those positions, because it gives you something to strive for.”
Tatalias is also involved with research on campus. She helped perform an energy audit of the classroom area in SRU’s Macoskey Center to support its goal of promoting sustainable practices.
Tatalias was named the SRU College of Engineering and Science’s Outstanding Student Academic Leader, an award that recognizes students for their outstanding leadership within an academic department or college.
As a heavily involved leader on campus, Tatalias stressed the importance of getting involved early.
“I feel like people are so nervous to join clubs, but that’s really where you make friends. Especially in clubs like the engineering ones, because those are the people you’ll struggle with through all four years!” Tatalias said with a laugh.
Tatalias ultimately defined SRU as a place of opportunity.
“I was offered opportunities to grow and become a leader,” Tatalias said. “I would say that that’s why I love SRU.”
More information about engineering at SRU can be found on the program’s webpage.
