Celebrating achievement

Friday, April 5, 2024

Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

As this week unfolds, and as I participated in our annual Woman of the Year Award ceremonies yesterday, I can’t help but reflect on the extraordinary community that has been cultivated here at S&T. Yesterday's Woman of the Year award reception was not just an event but a celebration of the multi-faceted contributions of our female colleagues. The stories shared—told with unwavering conviction—celebrated not just professional triumphs but also the passion that is needed for success. This gathering was not just a reflection on the individual accomplishments of our honorees but also a recognition of their resilience, dedication and the paths they have blazed for others.

We often hear and contemplate statistics and use data to illustrate a point, highlight an issue or sometimes sway opinions of a particular topic. If my Friday notes are any indication, I often use data to highlight a topic of importance such as the trend of women participation in STEM over time. As important and illustrative as statistics are, I submit that they are just the starting point of a deeper understanding of any trend. Perhaps they alert us of the need to learn about the rest of the story.

With that premise, statistically, STEM fields have felt the absence of full female representation, but we are beginning to carve a new path—one where the ascent from 8% to 27% of women in the STEM workforce since 1970 is just the beginning. Studies have shown that mixed-gender teams produce more innovative and impactful research, reaffirming the strength of diversity. These are not just figures; they are early milestones toward the goal of creating an environment brimming with diverse thoughts that lead to breakthrough ideas.

Yesterday’s reception was a testament to the progress we’ve made but also a reminder of the path that still lies ahead. It was a call to reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment where every individual is not just empowered to excel but is also celebrated for their unique contributions not only in our community but far beyond. To highlight the achievements of our excelling women here at S&T, we celebrated two remarkable leaders: Dr. Beth Kania-Gosche, our Woman of the Year, and Dr. Rachel Kohman, the recipient of the Women’s Advocate Award. Both women have been a force for progress, establishing groundbreaking educational programs and support that have expanded opportunities for women and challenged the status quo.

Dr. Kelley Wilkerson, last year’s recipient of the Dr. Elizabeth Cummins Women’s Advocate Award, spoke of the profound impact of our words and actions. Words have the strength to embolden our spirit, shatter barriers and illuminate the path toward a future where the voices of women are not just heard but echoed.

It was heartening to sense during the ceremony that, through the strength of their actions, our women leaders continue to pave the way for a future where every member of our community can realize their full potential. Having participated in our Woman of the Year recognition processes for many years, it is clear to me that we are all works in progress with unseen potential to grow and contribute. Regardless of our positions, roles and responsibilities, as our recognized women leaders demonstrate, we all can contribute to the success of our organizations, communities and families. And this collective behavior and the contributions of all of us are what we call our culture.

Let's continue to speak, to inspire, and to elevate the narrative of those who surround us, for our words together with our actions have the power to shape realities, affirm our culture and redefine the future.

Warmly,

-Mo.

Share your thoughts!

Check out the latest news from S&T:

Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu