2020-2021 Section Officers
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Emme Fitts - President
Biomedical Engineering utkswe.president@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 the President :). SWE encourages me to grow and pursue my goals like no other organization. I couldn't be any happier to represent an organization whose main focus is to inspire women to reach their fullest potential!" |
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Megan Hines - President Elect
Biomedical Engineering utkswe.presidentelect@gmail.com "I’m so glad I joined SWE as a freshman. The SWEeties mentoring program made a huge difference in my freshman year and showed me just how impactful a career in biomedical engineering can be. I’m so grateful to my mentor for encouraging me to pursue a leadership role in SWE and am so excited that I now have the opportunity to give back to SWEeties by serving as President-Elect. SWE is an amazing organization that empowers women by providing them with professional development opportunities, invaluable connections in TCE, and amazing mentors through SWEeties." |
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Westena Anderson - VP of Fundraising
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering utkswe.fundraising@gmail.com “SWE has been a huge part of my college experience for the past 3 years. I am endlessly proud of and inspired by the amazing women I’ve grown close to through SWE, and seeing them grow into confident, strong, and passionate women in STEM is something I will never forget. I cannot imagine my life without the professional and personal development offered through this organization, and the opportunities to work with young women who show interest in engineering helps remind me of why SWE, and orgs like it, are SO important in the first place. I am ridiculously excited to be able to give back the kindness and dedication shown to me, and can only hope that I can inspire women the same way these women have inspired me.” |
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Claudia Bible - VP of Special Events
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Kay Howell - VP of Volunteering & Outreach
Industrial & Systems Engineering utkswe.outreach@gmail.com “SWE has been my favorite part of college. I love everything about this organization, including the phenomenal SWEeties Mentoring Program, TET, the GBMs, and many more. It has been vital to my experience as a woman in engineering because it has instilled an unimaginable spark of confidence within me. In the time that I have been in SWE, I have met amazing women and grown as an engineer, a leader, and as a professional. I attended TET as a senior in high school and acted as a TET chair in college. I am so excited to serve in this position and to connect with more young girls through STEM and outreach activities! I hope to continue to impact SWE more than it has impacted me.” |
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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!" |
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Steph Paradissis - Recording Secretary
Mechanical Engineering swe@utk.edu "SWE has really helped me find my place at UTK. This organization has made me feel welcome ever since I first attended the cookout as a transfer student my sophomore year. Through SWE, I have made some of the best memories that I will take with me after I graduate in May. Everything from attending GBMs, special events, conference, and volunteering, SWE has given me endless opportunities to connect and grow with like-minded women in Engineering. Because of SWE, I have gained leadership and professional skills, and SWE has helped me excel in my professional career with internship opportunities. Through SWE, I have had the opportunity to serve as a TET chair, VP of Volunteering and Outreach, and I am excited to continue serving this amazing organization as Recording secretary this year. I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the amazing friendships and opportunities that I gained through my involvement in SWE." |
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Violet Boss - Communications Secretary
Civil & Environmental Engineering utkswe.communications@gmail.com “Being apart of SWE has been one of the most valuable parts of my college experience so far. Without SWE, I would not have had the confidence to attend the engineering expo and land a summer internship with West Knox Utility District. There are so many opportunities to grow professionally, academically, and even personally. Supporting women in engineering and helping them find their voice in a male dominated industry is something I am so passionate about. I am so excited to have this position and give back to such an incredible organization!” |
2020-2021 Section Chairs
SWEeties Pairs Chair - Natalie Hester
SWEeties Communications Chair - Mykenna Horchak
SWE Ambassadors - Biomedical - Nicole Beautz, Chemical - Makayla McGranahan, Mechanical - Reagan Toll, Electrical - Liza Barre, Computer Science - Swasti Mishra, Aerospace - Sreya Kumpatla, Civil - Makayla Dwyer, Industrial - Kalina Scarbrough, Nuclear - Bernadette Brezinski
TET Elementary School Chair - Sreya Kumpatla
TET Marketing Chair - Jamie Pouncey
TET Parent Chair - Leah Gutzwiller
TET Logistics Chair - Regina Ratkovich
High School Chair - Theresa Cahill
Middle School Chair - Rae Mikula
Outreach Chair - Jessica Nelson
Alumni Chair - Ashley Herbers
Graduate Programming Chair - Grace Pakeltis
Fundraising Logistics Chair - Michalea Shofner
Intramural Chair - Macayla Dwyer
Special Events Chair - Libby Vanderloo
Public Relations Chair - Sydni Lollar, Paulina Urbanowicz
SWEeties Communications Chair - Mykenna Horchak
SWE Ambassadors - Biomedical - Nicole Beautz, Chemical - Makayla McGranahan, Mechanical - Reagan Toll, Electrical - Liza Barre, Computer Science - Swasti Mishra, Aerospace - Sreya Kumpatla, Civil - Makayla Dwyer, Industrial - Kalina Scarbrough, Nuclear - Bernadette Brezinski
TET Elementary School Chair - Sreya Kumpatla
TET Marketing Chair - Jamie Pouncey
TET Parent Chair - Leah Gutzwiller
TET Logistics Chair - Regina Ratkovich
High School Chair - Theresa Cahill
Middle School Chair - Rae Mikula
Outreach Chair - Jessica Nelson
Alumni Chair - Ashley Herbers
Graduate Programming Chair - Grace Pakeltis
Fundraising Logistics Chair - Michalea Shofner
Intramural Chair - Macayla Dwyer
Special Events Chair - Libby Vanderloo
Public Relations Chair - Sydni Lollar, Paulina Urbanowicz
2019-2020 Section Officers
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Abigail Cooper - President (Fall Semester)
Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Reliability & Maintainability "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 (Fall Semester) - President (Spring Semester) Biomedical Engineering utkswe.president@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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Megan Hines - President Elect (Spring Semester)
Biomedical Engineering utkswe.presidentelect@gmail.com I’m so glad I joined SWE as a freshman. The SWEeties mentoring program made a huge difference in my freshman year and showed me just how impactful a career in biomedical engineering can be. I’m so grateful to my mentor for encouraging me to pursue a leadership role in SWE and am so excited that I now have the opportunity to give back to SWEeties by serving as President-Elect. SWE is an amazing organization that empowers women by providing them with professional development opportunities, invaluable connections in TCE, and amazing mentors through SWEeties. |
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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!" |
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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." |
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Haley Prater - Communications Secretary
Chemical Engineering 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." |
2019-2020 Section Chairs
SWEeties Pairs Chair: Megan Hines (Fall Semester), Michalea Shofner
SWEeties Communications Chair: Westena Anderson
Fundraising Logistics Chair: Shinduri Vijayakumar
Alumni Chair: Lauren Desjardins
Intramurals Chair: Ashley Herbers
TET High School Chairs: Samantha Cahill, Elinor Heenie
TET Middle School Chairs: Hannah Hajdik, Kay Howell
TET Parent and Marketing Chair: Jamie Pouncey
Public Relations Chairs: Violet Boss, Katherine Nowicki
SWEeties Ambassadors: Computer Science - Anaya Griggs, Mechanical - Reagan Toll, Materials Science - Kate Gordon, Chemical - Olivia Lazar, Chemical with Biomolecular Concentration - Michalea Schofner, Biomedical - Nicole Beautz, Civil- Claudia Bible
SWEeties Communications Chair: Westena Anderson
Fundraising Logistics Chair: Shinduri Vijayakumar
Alumni Chair: Lauren Desjardins
Intramurals Chair: Ashley Herbers
TET High School Chairs: Samantha Cahill, Elinor Heenie
TET Middle School Chairs: Hannah Hajdik, Kay Howell
TET Parent and Marketing Chair: Jamie Pouncey
Public Relations Chairs: Violet Boss, Katherine Nowicki
SWEeties Ambassadors: Computer Science - Anaya Griggs, Mechanical - Reagan Toll, Materials Science - Kate Gordon, Chemical - Olivia Lazar, Chemical with Biomolecular Concentration - Michalea Schofner, Biomedical - Nicole Beautz, Civil- Claudia Bible
2018-2019 Section Officers
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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." |
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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." |
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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!" |
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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." |
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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!" |
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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. |
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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." |
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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
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SWEeties Communications Chair:
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TET Middle School Chairs:
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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 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) |
