Lee named inspiring woman in STEM
A computer science and engineering faculty member will appear in a national magazine for her contributions to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Sarah Lee, the director of undergraduate studies of the computer science and engineering department, was selected as a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2015 Inspiring Women in STEM award.
Lee is one of 100 women who will be featured in the magazine’s next issue. Donna Reese, the department head of the computer science and engineering department, nominated her for the award.
“With her 20 years of work in the computing profession, Dr. Lee has been a great role model for the female students in our department,” Reese said. “In addition, she cares deeply about the success of students and gets to know them individually so she can help them to succeed. She is truly inspiring for all of our students, particularly the young women she comes into contact with.”
During her 19 years with the FedEx Corp., Lee said she realized that women were underrepresented and challenged in the male-dominated STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics, industries. This led her to pursue a career in academia so she can inspire young women to pursue computing careers.
“With fewer women in STEM fields, we are missing out on innovations and creative solutions to problems that half our population could bring to the table,” Lee said.
Since joining the Bagley College of Engineering family, Lee has organized several events to introduce middle and high school girls to the world of computing. She also hosts luncheons and dinners to allow female students in the computer science and engineering department to meet women who have excelled in their STEM careers.
Lee earned a master’s in computer science from Mississippi State University and a doctoral degree in the same field from the University of Memphis. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in computer information systems from the Mississippi University for Women.
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Inspiring Women in STEM award aims to honor women who inspire and encourage a new generation of women to consider careers in the STEM fields through mentoring, teaching, research, programs and initiatives.
Erin Boozer Zimmer | Bagley College of Engineering
