Welcome to "Leveraging Our Best Practices: Hitting the Parity Jackpot", the 3rd joint national conference of the Women in Engineering Programs
and Advocates Network (WEPAN) and the National Association of Minority Engineering Program Administrators (NAMEPA). Every four years, our organizations have hosted a joint conference that
provides an educational and networking environment for our constituents. The previous conferences have been a synergistic success, creating a diverse and dynamic event for all
participants. Without a doubt this year's conference will yield the same positive energy.
Certainly, we are living in a time of great change. While the Supreme Court confirmed
the idea that diversity constitutes a compelling state interest, they have also severely restricted the manner in which we historically have addressed the lack of diversity in the
engineering profession as well as in the science, technology and mathematical disciplines. As a result, the challenges we face today are quite unlike any we have
previously confronted. The need for professional forums such as this conference is evident as we must work together, sharing best practices, if we are to indeed advance our agenda of change.
The Conference Planning Committee, with the leadership and participation of individuals from both of our organizations, has created an agenda that is indeed exciting. The
keynote speakers, beginning with Dr. John Brooks Slaughter and concluding with Dr. JoAnn Moody are guaranteed to inform, motivate and energize you. The presentations
address a wide array of issues of importance to industry, government and educational professionals and the opportunities for networking are numerous. We hope you will
enjoy this conference, and leave with a feeling that your time here was extremely worthwhile.
Finally, we want to acknowledge our conference sponsors. It is through their generous
support of our organizations that we are able to come together in this conference. With their continued support, we will all work together to increase the access and enhance
the success of women and other minorities in the engineering profession.
