HARRISBURG, PA – After a year of planning, STEM-UP Network, with support from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and York College, launched NextGen Women in STEM on Saturday, September 21, at Commonwealth Charter Academy. It was a full day of networking opportunities, inspiring panels, and breakout sessions focused on professional and leadership development for young women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
STEM-UP Network, powered by Harrisburg University, was founded in 2011 in recognition of all that women have to offer the STEM disciplines. STEM-UP remains focused on developing a sustainable professional climate across colleges and universities to promote the recruitment, retention, and advancement of academic women across STEM fields. Today, STEM-UP has grown to over 1,000 individuals across the US and beyond.
According to STEM-UP Executive Director, Bilita (“Bili”) Mattes, Ph.D., “The idea behind NextGen Women in STEM was to connect soon-to-be and recent STEM women graduates with each other and with more experienced women professionals in STEM from across Central PA, and to provide an experience focused on networking, professional development, sharing, and mentoring.”

NextGen Women in STEM was a resounding success. “We had 170 women in STEM register for the event. Attendees represented 11 institutions of higher education in Central PA and more than 20 mentors from 18 premier STEM employers,” said Dr. Mattes. “The energy during the entire day was amazing! At the end of the day, we collected key takeaways from the event and created the word cloud you see here.”
The event reconfirmed a significant appetite and need for soon-to-be and recent STEM women graduates who are connected with and supported by one another. “Feedback from participants pointed to mentoring and connections as critical elements to their success and persistence in their chosen STEM studies and profession,” observed Dr. Mattes. “We also learned that more experienced women in STEM professions gain much from giving back through events like NextGen Women in STEM.”
Ashley Earle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at York College, shared, “Last year, Carol S. Eicher and I started plans to bring together local Central PA college and young professional women in STEM to navigate the transition to the workforce. We held an event in 2023 that brought together women and alums from York College of Pennsylvania. We knew it would take multiple iterations to spread the impact across Central PA.”
She continued, “This year, we partnered with STEM-UP and Dr. Bili Mattes to expand the reach of the event to even more Central PA colleges and higher education institutions through the NextGen Women in STEM Conference. Claire Rumsey asked students what they wanted, which led to the inclusion of tables for local organizations committed to supporting women. We also piloted speed-mentoring sessions that energized everyone. I was inspired by the determination and vision of our panelists, Teray Johnson, Ph.D., Kayla Hughes, Abigail Foxwell, and Jessica Grossman Bradley, and our workshop presenter, Terry Kraft. However, I have to say it was the students who stole the show – you all blew me away with your tenacity and off-the-charts energy. Our future is bright!”
Research shows that mentoring is a key to persistence and retention for women in STEM. Mentors and mentees have a 50 percent higher retention rate than their colleagues who do not engage in mentoring. Some 90 percent of workers report being happy at work when they have a mentor.
STEM-UP Network has had almost 400 women participate in its Mentoring Program, and 100 percent of the women indicated a preference for mentors from outside of their organization. This highlights the need for mentoring programs within organizations that are complemented, and expanded upon, by strategic collaborations with networks outside of these organizations.
“Mentees, especially early-career professionals, are usually far less comfortable raising concerns or challenges with individuals, especially more senior individuals, from inside their organization,” said Dr. Mattes. “The risk may be too high, especially if the organization does not recognize or understand the role of a mentor. This is especially true if a mentor has a direct or indirect impact on an employee’s status or compensation.”
STEM-UP is now accepting women into the 2025 STEM-UP Network Mentoring Cohort, which begins in January 2025. If you are a soon-to-be or early-career professional, consider joining STEM-UP as a mentee. If you are a more experienced professional woman in STEM, consider joining to give back as a mentor. Register today at STEMUPNetwork.org.
“Thank you to the entire STEM-UP Network for making a truly inspiring day of community and connections a reality!” said Dr. Mattes. “Our NextGen Women in STEM are impressive and limitless. I can’t wait to see what we do together next year!”





































































ABOUT STEM-UP NETWORK
STEM-UP Network addresses the gender talent gap in STEM by providing women with real-world strategies, skills, connections, and community to navigate and advance their careers. As a leading network of women professionals in STEM, STEM-UP prepares women with practical strategies and lasting relationships that support development and advancement personally and within their careers.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.