PFW Story

A STEM Pioneer on Campus

Becca (Rebecca) Essig is an assistant professor of engineering in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering and first-year engineering program coordinator for the College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science at Purdue University Fort Wayne. She is also a pioneer in search of expanding STEM opportunities for women and girls.

When Essig was in high school, she wanted to be an environmental scientist and clean up the air, water, and soil for future generations. Her older sister, who is a civil engineer, encouraged her to look into the same degree path, but with an environmental specialty.

“I'm very fortunate to have had someone point me in this direction because it ended up being a perfect fit,” said Essig. “I earned my bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in civil engineering at Purdue West Lafayette and specialized in environmental fluid mechanics, which looks at how water and contaminants move through waterways.”

While in graduate school, Essig was given the opportunity to teach – and she discovered a passion for it.

Entrance to the Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science building on an autumn day.

"I love getting to encourage the next generation of engineers and see them carve their own path."

Rebecca Essig, assistant professor of engineering

While in graduate school, Essig was given the opportunity to teach – and she discovered a passion for it.

“Although I don't work with the environment much anymore, I consider myself very fortunate to get the opportunity to interact with the first-year engineering students at Purdue Fort Wayne,” Essig noted. “I love getting to encourage the next generation of engineers and see them carve their own path.”

Nashwan Younis, professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, says Essig is committed to increasing the number of women in engineering and supporting the women around her.

“In 2019, she founded the Future Girls of STEM summer camp. It introduces 2nd-5th grade girls to different types of engineering through hands-on activities; teaches the girls about effective leadership and teamwork; and partners the girls with female engineers practicing in the related disciplines,” said Younis. “Becca developed the curriculum, worked with local industries, and coordinated the administrative aspects.

“In 2020, when most events around the world were cancelled due to COVID, she rapidly converted the summer camp to an online, at-home format because she believed it was important to continue engaging the young girls with fun and educational activities and connecting them with mentors especially during those overwhelming months.”

Essig is not only involved in opening up the world of engineering opportunities to younger students, she also is the driving force behind starting a chapter of Phi Sigma Rho, a national sorority for women in engineering and engineering technology, on the Purdue Fort Wayne campus.

“I was initiated into it as an undergrad student and it’s a great organization that was created to help women thrive in their engineering majors through friendship, scholarship, and encouragement,” Essig stated. “My hope is that creating a chapter at Purdue Fort Wayne will help our existing students feel supported and that seeing we have mentorship groups like this will encourage prospective students to join our ETCS programs.”

Essig has been recognized for her excellence in teaching by the College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science and at the university level. She has also been very involved in ETCS Outreach Programs, including FIRST® Lego League, the Future Cities Competition, and Sci-TEC Academy. She has also been recognized by the Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana for her work with the summer STEM camp, and most recently, she was named as one of the Influential Women of Northeast Indiana for 2021 by KPC Media Group.