National Science Foundation gives Durham Tech nearly $300,000 to increase female enrollment in STEM

The National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) is providing nearly $300,000  to Durham Technical Community College to increase the number of women students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs through the Power of Us initiative. 

Power of Us aims to utilize unique female-focused learning opportunities and novel learning tools to increase prospective female students’ awareness in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs; increase female enrollment and retention in the targeted CTE programs; and increase the number of skilled, workforce-ready female technical workers. 

The new initiative will utilize the College’s new makerspace to offer program activities for prospective and current students. Some of the Power of Us activities will include welcome events, female-led tech Tuesday, taste of industry events, summer camps and more.  

The initiative is available for current Durham Tech students and high school students.  

Michele Parrish, an Instructor for Cybersecurity, Networking, and Support Programs at Durham Tech, is leading the efforts for the program. 

Parrish attended Durham Tech in the mid-90’s and was one of two females in her microcomputer system technology program. 

“I want to provide support and encouragement in connecting female students with other female mentors in their chosen careers and provide opportunities in male-dominated careers,” said Parrish. “I strongly believe in the power of females helping and supporting each other and I want to build that community here at Durham Tech. I want to show females that they can do it.” 

Students interested in participating in Power of Us can email Michele Parrish at parrisha@durhamtech.edu  

For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.