2019-2020 Section Officers

Abigail Cooper - President
Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Reliability & Maintainability
​utkswe.president@gmail.com
"SWE has given me a huge amount from mentors, mentees, the opportunity to co-op, leadership skills, and a vast amount of friends. I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve as president this year. I know with the enthusiasm of our whole section we can continue to stand out as such a strong organization on campus. SWE has meant so much to me and I hope we can continue to foster a community that means that much to incoming girls."
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Emme Fitts - President Elect
Biomedical Engineering
​utkswe.presidentelect@gmail.com
"​I can honestly say that SWE is the best organization that I have joined since coming to college. SWE has not only brought me many friendships and connections that I am thankful for, but it has also fostered the confidence that is needed to be a woman in a STEM field. I am inspired by the women of SWE every day. I would have never considered myself a leader before joining SWE, but now I am going to be the President-Elect. SWE encourages me to grow and pursue my goals, like studying abroad in England or even applying to medical schools. I couldn't be any happier to represent an organization thats main focus is to inspire women to reach their fullest potential!"
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Nidhi Menon - Treasurer
Biomedical Engineering 
utkswe.treasurer@gmail.com
​"SWE has impacted me in the best way possible. The organization has given me so many opportunities to connect with those in industry, make lasting friendships, and has been a constant support when it comes to my education. Through SWE, I felt comfort being surrounded by so many inspiring women in engineering that are all striving to do great things in the years to come. I hope to continue to make a positive impact within this organization during my remaining time at UT!"
Mohima Mohsin - VP of Special Events
Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Business Administration
​utkswe.events@gmail.com
"SWE is an amazing organization that brings together like-minded women in the engineering field. SWE has opened many doors for me and helped me get an internship at Daimler- Mercedes Benz. Furthermore, SWE allowed me the opportunity to take part in leadership roles. The organization has shown me the impact of a mentor. I have gained experience, great friendships, and countless connections through SWE. In the upcoming year, I hope to learn more from SWE and hope to give back as well."
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Steph Paradissis - VP of Volunteering & Outreach
Mechanical Engineering
utkswe.outreach@gmail.com
"I joined SWE after I transferred schools my sophomore year and even though it was nerve wrecking not knowing anyone or anything about the organization, I am so glad that I came to the SWEek cookout that day. In my 3 years being a part of SWE, it has brought me the best of friends, given me leadership experience, and has helped me excel in both engineering and my professional career. SWE has given me so many opportunities from leadership positions to internships and I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful organization!"
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Sarah Jacob - VP of Fundraising
Electrical Engineering
utkswe.fundraising@gmail.com
​"My SWE network has been my rock throughout my time in college. I cannot imagine my college experience without the help and support from I received from the other members of the UTK SWE Chapter!  I had the opportunity to connect with Southern Company through the SWE Evening With Industry Event and completed four co-op rotations with them as a Transmission co-op. I am very excited to help organize the Evening With Industry event and help bring the same opportunities to the other students! I am so glad to be a part of an organization that helps women achieve their goals."
Haley Prater - Communications Secretary
Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Reliability & Maintainability
utkswe.communications@gmail.com
"If it weren't for SWE, I would have given up on being an engineer a long time ago. SWE gives me the freedom and support to be my authentic self in a world constantly telling you to be something else. Through SWE, I have made lifelong friendships and discovered leadership skills I didn't know I had in me. Because of SWE, I gained real world experience through co-oping and am going into my senior year as a successful female engineer."
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2019-2020 Section Chairs

SWEeties Pairs Chair: Megan Hines, Michalea Shofner
SWEeties Communications Chair: Westena Anderson
Fundraising Logistics Chair: Shinduri Vijayakumar 
Alumni Chair: Lauren Desjardins 
Intramurals Chair: Ashley Herbers 
TET HS Chair: Samantha Cahill, Elinor Heenie 
TET MS Chair: Hannah Hajdik, Kay Howell
TET Parent and Marketing Chair: Jamie Pouncey

2018-2019 Section Officers

Kalie Knecht - President
Nuclear Engineering  
​utkswe.president@gmail.com
"During the past four years, SWE has been a crucial in helping me through engineering, even at the toughest of times. SWE has unlocked doors to cool internships and fantastic friendships which have encouraged me and inspired me to do my best as an engineer. Thanks to SWE, I have co-oped at Dominion Energy, conducted undergraduate research in the Nuclear Engineering Department, and interned at Argonne National Lab. As president, I hope to encourage fellow SWE members to set high goals and achieve more than they thought possible."
Abigail Cooper - President Elect
Mechanical Engineering
utkswe.presidentelect@gmail.com
"SWE members have given me a lot of great examples and advice. With the encouragement from SWE, I completed a two term co-op in 2017 with Halyard Health as a process engineer co-op. I got my interview from attending SWE National Conference in Philadelphia 2016. I think without SWE I would not have realized how many opportunities are available for engineers and students at the UTK."
Emme Fitts - Treasurer
Biomedical Engineering
utkswe.treasurer@gmail.com
"SWE has brought me so many friendships and connections that I am so thankful for. I love that SWE has encouraged me by giving me countless opportunities to grow as a woman in the STEM field. One of these being my leadership position in SWE that has allowed me to become more involved in the Engineering department, in general. SWE has also encouraged me to pursue my internship at HCA Healthcare this summer. I am so excited to be a part of an organization that's main focus is to inspire women!"
Keirsten Brown - VP of Special Events
Chemical Engineering
utkswe.events@gmail.com
"SWE is an amazing resource to help young women find support in a male dominated field.  Through SWE I have found great friendships and had so many wonderful opportunities.  SWE has taught me how to network, plan events, and support others in a group.  I am very glad to be a part of such a great organization!  I hope to give back to SWE through my officer position."
​Mary Daffron - VP of Volunteering & Outreach
Mechanical Engineering
utkswe.outreach@gmail.com
​"I am currently working at the Fiber and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF) under Dr. Uday Vaidya. I have a minor in Materials Science and Engineering and am in the Grand Challenge Scholars Program. I was a EERE intern at Techmer PM in the summer of 2017 and an IACMI intern in the summer of 2016 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. I love SWE and am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given!"
Elizabeth (Liz) Spaulding - VP of Fundraising
Chemical Engineering with a Biomolecular Concentration
utkswe.fundraising@gmail.com
SWE has provided me with an opportunity to improve myself in every facet of my University involvement. Whether it be jobs, or my study abroad experience, I believe that the skills SWE helps you develop really pay off. Overall, I think SWE represents so much more than just engineering, and as an officer this year I want to keep expanding SWE's reach so that we can continue to help students.  ​
Samantha Karklins - Recording Secretary
Chemical Engineering with a Biomolecular Concentration
​swe@utk.edu
​"SWE is an amazing organization that offers its members endless opportunities and support while pursuing engineering. I have met many of my closest friends through SWE, as well as been given the opportunity to grow as a leader. As a SWE officer, I hope to be able help our section make a difference in more women’s lives."
Margret (Maggie) Fisher - Communications Secretary
Chemical Engineering with a Biomolecular Concentration
utkswe.communications@gmail.com
"SWE has guided me through many of the stages of college; it has helped me improve my resume, find a summer job, gain a research position, and take on a leadership role. I find this organization to be extremely organized and impactful. With both fun and helpful events for students, and a wealth of resources, SWE is a society I am grateful for."

2018-2019 Section Chairs

SWEeties Communications Chair:
  • Jenna Williams 
SWEeties Pairs Chair:
  • Haley Prater
Intramural Chair:
  • Sidney Simpson
PR Chair:
  • Westena Anderson
TET Middle School Chairs:
  • Samantha Cahill
  • Mohima Mohsin
TET High School Chairs:
  • Lauren Desjardins
  • Nidhi Menon
TET Parent/Marketing Chairs:
  • Allison Campbell
  • Shinduri Vijayakumar
​2018-2019 Officers

(clockwise, starting top left)
Kalie Knecht - President
Abigail Cooper - President Elect
Liz Spaulding - VP of Fundraising
Keirsten Brown - VP of Special Events
Samantha Karklins - Recording Secretary
Maggie Fisher- Communications Secretary
Emme Fitts - Treasurer
Mary Daffron - VP of Volunteering & Outreach





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​2017-2018 Officers

(clockwise, starting top left)
Mikayla Ehrsam - President
Kalie Knecht - President Elect
Lauren Flader - VP of Fundraising
Madison Oehler - VP of Special Events (Spring)
Mary Daffron - Recording Secretary
Abigail Cooper - Communications Secretary
Mariah Lafond - Treasurer (Spring)
Keirsten Brown - VP of Volunteering & Outreach

Not Pictured: 
​Haley Prater - VP of Special Events (Fall)
Hannah Hajdik - Treasurer (Fall)

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