In 2004, Smith College made history when 19 women graduated as part of the first class of engineers ever from an all-women’s ABET-accredited engineering program. The reasons for starting an engineering program at a women’s college are compelling. As a creative endeavor at the intersection of design, science, and mathematics, engineering draws on nearly all aspects of the human experience, including our history, politics, economics, arts, and societal aspirations. The work of engineers both exacerbates and offers solutions to some of our gravest societal problems, including climate change, disease, resource limitations, and conflict.
Since the conception of this program, the Picker Engineering Program has been committed to maintaining an outstanding learning environment with numerous resources to help students excel as they walk the path towards a career in engineering. In this unique environment, students are able to explore their areas of interest with the support of the faculty and staff. This is their chance to share their experiences in some of the most celebrated aspects of our programs: the engineering major itself, the internships they participate in while they are here, research experiences they complete with our faculty and the student work positions they complete for us.