WIU’s Chemistry Program Ranked Best in Nation for Women in STEM

By: Forgottonia Times™ Report

Western Illinois University (WIU) has earned national recognition, being ranked as the top chemistry program for women in STEM by Washington Monthly. The magazine, known for its focus on public service, recently released its annual rankings, highlighting WIU's chemistry program as the best in the nation for supporting women in science, technology, engineering, and math.

The rankings considered several factors, including the number of recent graduates, student demographics, and the median earnings from five years after graduation. This recognition underscores WIU's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women in science fields.

Associate professor of chemistry at WIU, Jin Jin, stated: "We have made efforts to foster research and scholarly activities of women in STEM disciplines." She also highlighted WIU's Women in Science (WIS) organization, launched in 2020, which connects students with successful alumni and offers scholarships.

The university's involvement in initiatives such as the annual Girl Scout STEM program also helps encourage young women to pursue science careers. For the past seven years, WIU's chemistry department has collaborated with biology, physics, and environmental science faculties to host this event.

WIU also received high marks in Washington Monthly's "Best Bang for the Buck" category, ranking thirty-first among Midwest schools and second in Illinois, further highlighting the school's value for students. They were also recognized as the twenty-third overall best school in a category of other liberal arts colleges nationwide, but second in Illinois.