As Howard University joins the global community in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day on June 23, Howard women whose innovation and leadership continue to shape the future of STEM as architects and engineers reflect the university’s commitment to preparing engineers to lead with purpose. The commitment is rooted in a long legacy of service, excellence, and representation.
Women across the College of Engineering and Architecture contribute to the Howard legacy every day through research, global service, industry internships, and community impact. Their presence strengthens a field where women, especially Black women, remain underrepresented. Howard continues to expand opportunities for women in civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering through rigorous academic preparation and hands on, experiential learning.
Howard’s experiential learning regiment extends across continents. For example, recent chemical engineering graduate Monica Maya led a group of Howard engineering students, including Soya Pearson, Karma Parsons, Esra Omar, and Halayah Vann — all young women — on a mission to help provide water for a community in rural Kenya. Guided by faculty advisor John Tharakan, Ph.D., professor of chemical engineering, the group led phases of a multi-year project through the Howard Engineers Without Borders Chapter to eventually provide clean, desalinated water in Kogwari community in Homa Bay County, Nyanza, Kenya.
After a site visit to Kenya in 2025, the group designed a borehole water retrieval system, through which a solar-powered pump pulls groundwater through a narrow pipe for distribution and the system is already saving community members from the need to collect water from muddy ponds nearby. The next phase of the project will involve water treatment.
Maya’s purpose grew from a commitment to ethical and community centered engineering.
When young people can see themselves in these spaces, they are empowered to create solutions that can change lives around the world.
“Engineering has the power to improve lives by solving real problems that affect communities every day,” said Maya. “Whether it is access to clean water, stronger infrastructure, or innovative technology, the impact extends far beyond the technical work. As a Black woman in engineering, I have also seen how important representation is. Seeing two former Black presidents of Engineers Without Borders – HU showed me that leadership was possible for someone like me. It really gave me the courage to lead, and I know I did just that. That experience reinforced my belief that increasing visibility and STEM opportunities for Black youth is essential because when young people can see themselves in these spaces, they are empowered to create solutions that can change lives around the world.”
