肉肉传媒

On a crisp February evening, in the middle of midterm season, the Emera IDEA MakerSpace on 肉肉传媒鈥檚 Sexton Campus is buzzing with energy. More than 30 female engineering students have gathered to design and laser-cut acrylic hearts for Valentine鈥檚 Day.

A welcomed break from their course work, the women chat and laugh as they learn how to use some of the state-of-the-art machines within the Makerspace. Hosted by 肉肉传媒鈥檚 Women in Engineering Society, the event is much more than gaining hands-on-experience outside of the classroom. For WIE Co-President, Emma Deveau,
this event represents something deeper.

鈥淎s much as there are a lot of EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) efforts happening, engineering has been, and still is, a male-dominated field,鈥� says Emma. 鈥淗aving a safe space where women can socialize, find support, and feel like they belong is so important.鈥�

That sense of belonging is exactly what Emma has worked tirelessly to create since stepping into the role of Co-President this past year.

From A First-Year Student to a Confident Leader

Emma didn鈥檛 always picture herself in engineering. Originally drawn to environmental science, it wasn鈥檛 until 肉肉传媒鈥檚 Open House that she discovered her path.

鈥淚 think the big part of what I was looking to do was not only research, but problem solving,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚 think that's what really interested about engineering. I like that I could actively work on solving the problems that I was so interested in.鈥�

When she first arrived at Dal Engineering, Emma admits that getting involved on campus wasn鈥檛 top of mind. That changed in her second year after volunteering at Go Eng Girl, an outreach event hosted by WIE that promotes engineering to young women across the region.

鈥淚n second year, I did a 180. I volunteered at Go Eng Girl in 2022 and that was my first introduction to WIE. I met two executives at the event, and they were so kind, friendly, and welcoming. I immediately knew that was a society that I wanted to be a part of.鈥�

Now entering her fourth year in Civil Engineering, Emma is set to begin her second term as Co-President of WIE, a role that鈥檚 not only shaped her university experience but also her identity as a leader.

Leading with Purpose

A role too big for one person, Emma shared the presidency this past year with Chemical engineering student Grace O鈥機onnor. Together, they brought new energy and ideas to the society, launching two major initiatives designed to foster deeper connection among students.

鈥淥ne of our biggest changes was starting a representative program,鈥� Emma explains. 鈥淲e brought on reps from first and second year, and one upper-year student from each discipline, so we could better connect with students across all levels.鈥�

These reps serve as a direct link between students and the WIE executive team, raising concerns, promoting events, and helping their peers access resources.

The response to the program was overwhelmingly positive.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been great to get more people involved in the society, and it is a stepping stone for people to become involved on the exec team or other opportunities,鈥� says Emma. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited about it, and we hope it continues to be successful in the future.鈥�

Another big initiative spearheaded by Emma and Grace was the creation of a mentorship program that matches students based on shared interests and experiences.

The program is designed to help women feel supported and less isolated during the early years of their engineering degree. Together, this year鈥檚 two new programs have already made a big impact on the society, and it鈥檚 only just the beginning.

Moving Forward

As Emma steps into her second year as Co-President, she鈥檒l be joined by Molly Richardson, a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student and former VP Logistics for WIE.

The duo already has an ambitious year planned. This fall, WIE will once again host its Go Eng Girl event, aimed at encouraging young girls to explore the possibilities of engineering. And in the winter term, they鈥檒l launch a brand-new Women in Engineering Conference. The initiative will be a province-wide gathering that will bring students together to network, hear from industry leaders, and celebrate their place in the profession.

For Emma, though, it鈥檚 not just about organizing events or building a r茅sum茅. It鈥檚 about making sure that every woman in engineering, especially those just starting out, feels supported, welcomed, and like they truly belong on Sexton Campus

鈥淚 think being involved has made me feel like I鈥檓 truly part of Dal Eng, not just passing through it,鈥� she reflects. 鈥淚鈥檝e found my place here. And now I get to help other students find theirs too.鈥�