Wichita Society of Women Engineers

About the Wichita Section of the Society of Women Engineers

The Wichita area Society of Women Engineers section was chartered in 1982 by a dynamic group of eight women, and has since grown to over 50 members. We are a non-profit organization of made up of both men and women who are dedicated to making known the need for women engineers and encouraging young women to consider an engineering education. Our local section strives to create a balanced environment that blends our members personal and professional lives.

Our section shares the mission and goals of our national organization, which provides additional opportunities for our section. Within national, we are a part of Region i.

All sorts of people are members of SWE. Learn about the benefits of membership.

Wondering what we've been up to in the past? Read how to access old newsletters.

Executives & Committee Chairs

President ~ Allison Wright

I graduated from Iowa State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation. I work at Spirit AeroSystems in Manufacturing Research and Development as a Nondestructive Inspection Engineer.

I am an active volunteer within Girl Scouts and currently lead a troop of middle school girls, a Girl Scout Lego Mindstorms team, train adults and girls in outdoor and leadership skills, among other activities.

My hobbies include surfing, camping, canoeing, working with Girl Scouts, traveling, playing board games and cooking. I was married on September 19th, 2009 in my hometown of Encinitas, CA (near San Diego).

I joined SWE as a student at Iowa State University and have continued my membership as a professional in the Wichita Section.

Vice President ~ Jessica Stitt

I graduated from Wichita State University in December 2008 with my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a minor in mathematics and in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. I started working at Spirit as an intern in 2008 and have continued with the company upon my graduation. I work in the Parts Management Lean group and I am very involved in the Spirit Women in Engineering Professions & Technology and the Community Partners Network through Spirit. Outside of work I am also very involved in my sorority alumni group.

I first joined SWE while a student at Wichita State University and have transitioned my membership to a professional in the Wichita Section.

My hobbies include softball, my dog Charlie, traveling around the globe, board games and being an aunt.

Treasurer ~ Heather Jones

I am currently a Flight Controls Engineer and Apprentice UM at Cessna Aircraft Company. I spent a year in the ODA Management Group and earned my Six Sigma Green Belt while improving processes within the ODA structure. Before coming to Cessna, I worked at Hawker Beechcraft on the Hawker 4000 and Hawker 900XP certification programs.

I earned my BS in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Wichita State University. I am now pursuing my MBA full time at WSU and expect to graduate in May 2011.

When I have any free time, you can find me and my husband (Justin) working on various projects around the house. I enjoy gardening, small construction projects, decorating, restoration, and making gifts. I also co-coach the Lego Mindstorms team at Wichita Collegiate.

I joined SWE as a student at WSU and have continued my membership as a professional in the Wichita Section.

Secretary ~ Cassie Schroeder

I graduated from Iowa State University in 2008 with a Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering with a Minor in Nondestructive Evaluation. I interned with Spirit AeroSystems twice, and now work there full time as an Research and Development Engineer in the Propulsion Structures and Systems segment of Spirit. I am currently pursuing a MS in Operations Management at Friends University.

My hobbies include reading, biking, cooking, knitting, and most recently decorating cakes. My husband Matt also works at Spirit as an engineer in a different Research and Development group.

I first joined SWE as a collegiate member and Iowa State, and was very active with their outreach activities, including organizing science badge days for Girl Scouts in Iowa. I now enjoy the opportunity to stay active in the Wichita SWE section.

Section Representative ~ Jennifer Marshall

I am a stress engineer at Spirit AeroSystems working in structural test. I started my career in 1997 with Boeing Commercial in Wichita and continued with the company when it became Spirit in 2005.

I graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Technical Writing from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T) in 1996. I completed my MS in Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State in 2003 with a focus in structures. I am returning to grad school in Fall 2011 for a Masters in Public Administration at Wichita State.

I spend my free time working on my house & yard, with my dog Diesel, being an aunt, traveling, and training for a sprint triathlon. I volunteer time with church activities, short term mission trips, and at Ronald McDonald House.

I first joined SWE as a student at UMR and have been a professional member for a few years.

Section Representative Alternate ~ Vickie Glancy Cannon

I am a process engineer at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita. I have worked in structural design on the 737. I have also taught, implemented, and coached process improvement activities throughout the Spirit plant.

I have a mechanical engineering degree from Wichita State University; and I have a degree in marketing, international business, and Spanish from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

My husband is an avionics engineer at Boeing Wichita. I have two sons, one at Kansas State studying computer & electrical engineering, and one at Wichita Heights High School. I am involved in church, community theater, and Boy Scout activities.

I am the Wichita Section representative to the SWE Region I Council. I have been a member of the Society of Professional Engineers since 2006.

Communications ~ Angela Schroeder

I currently work for Cessna as a Senior Stress Engineer. Prior to that I worked at Boeing in Wichita as a Structural Engineer.

I received my BS in Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. I then went on to earn a MS in Aerospace Engineering through a joint program with the University of Maryland and NASA Langley Research Center.

My hobbies include running, scrapbooking, reading and most recently learning how to knit. I am married and have one daughter.

I first joined SWE while in college at Washington University and have continued my membership as a professional in the Wichita Section.

Expo chair ~ Kim Burton

I am a senior engineer at Cessna Aircraft company, specializing in avionics and electrical systems integration. I have been with Cessna since 2002, when I earned my bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from Pittsburg State University. In 2008 I received a master's in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University. I am a Six Sigma green belt and a private pilot.

I've been a member of SWE since college and love the message this organization sends about what women can contribute to important fields. The Wichita section has given me the opportunity to co-chair our annual Engineering Expo three years in a row.

My husband is a nightclub DJ and stay-at-home-dad to our little girl. We also have four guinea pigs.

Outreach ~ Barbara Davis

I retired from Cessna aircraft in 2009 after a total of 28 years. I earned my BS in Aerospace Engineering from West Virginia University in 1968.

I have been a member of SWE since 2001 and a life member since 2005. I was the Wichita Section representative to the Council of Representatives from 2002 through 2007 and the Section President from 2008-2009.

My husband Cliff, also an Aerospace Engineer, is retired from Cessna Engineering Flight Test. We have a son and a daughter, one grandson and a second due in October 2010. My favorite activities are reading, gardening and needlework. In addition to SWE, I volunteer at Exploration Place, with Girl Scouts and anywhere I can find someone doing aviation or engineering activities with kids.

WCES ~ Rachael Woods

I work for Spirit AeroSystems as an Intellectual Property Engineer managing the invention program. I graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a Civil Engineering B.S. and have one semester left on a Technology Management M.S.

WCES Co-Rep ~ Deana Fitzsimmons

I graduated with a B.A. degree, Public Address in 1973 from Wichita State University; and earned a M.A. degree in Communication Theory in 1985, also from Wichita State University. From there I hired into Boeing-Wichita in 1978 as a Personnel Representative for the Engineering department. In 1995 moved into Staffing and administered the Summer Intern program for Boeing-Wichita, and traveled the U.S. recruiting both professional and college graduate engineering candidates to support needs for staffing requirements. From 2001 to present I am the Contract Labor Admin supporting the administration of contract labor services including acquisition and maintenance of contract labor personnel serving Boeing through suppliers. I have been a member of SWE since December 1998.

Fundraising ~ Myloc Le

Scholarship ~ Heather Meyer

Membership ~ Jessica Stitt

WSU counselor ~ Cassie Schroeder

Photo Gallery

Writing Our History

• Past officers
• Newsletter Archive
• 25th Anniversary Posters