Fifty-two percent of Harrisburg University students are women. Staff and students say keys to making it stay that way are mentors and a strong community.

“Having so many points of strong intelligent women has really encouraged me to go further in my own education,” said Tiffany Smith, a junior at Harrisburg University.

“I also feel like it’s empowering,” sophomore Sumaiyah Armstrong said. “You also feel like you’re not alone. You’re not the only women here that wants to be in the science field.”

Harrisburg University says the national average of women in science and technology programs is 18[ percent. So, how does this school overcome that?

“Creating an atmosphere and an environment where they see role models,” said Bili Mattes, the executive director of the university’s STEM-UP Network for women.

“We also have groups where young women get together and they support each other and they talk about the challenges as a female student but then, more than likely, it’ll be about as a female student trying to get a job,” university president Dr. Eric Darr said.

Mattes says it’s important for females who start in STEM to stick in STEM.

“Women represent 50 percent of the workforce and are under-represented in STEM professions. Only about 24 percent of that workforce is women,” said Mattes. “Then, we lose 50 percent of those in the first 10 to 12 years.”

The school says it works to create relationships that will last long after graduation so women have support as professionals. It holds STEM-exploration camps and events to foster connections.

“My advisor, she is the best person ever,” said Smith. “Having her as my advisor has helped me figure out what I want to do.”

“I think it’s great that a lot more women are in the field,” sophomore Analyis Arlequin said.