Faces of Michigan

Cinda-Sue Davis: Leads Efforts to Bridge the Gap

Cinda-Sue Davis, Director of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) at the University of Michigan, works unflaggingly to bridge the gap for underrepresented groups in engineering and the sciences.

Since becoming WISE director in 1984, Davis has shepherded the development of several programs under the WISE umbrella, within the College of Literature, Science and the Arts; the College of Engineering; and the UM Residence Halls. Most prominently, the WISE Residential Program was established in 1993 to allow both younger and older students in WISE to live together, thereby creating a built-in support system for them. Other programs developed by Davis include “Summer Science for Girls,” a summer program for middle-school students; “Marian Sarah Parker Scholars Program,” an undergraduate program that encourages high-achieving engineering students to pursue graduate degrees; and “Science for Life,” a biomedical sciences internship program for high school students.

During Davis’ tenure, the program has received national recognition, including a U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in 2000; recognition as an Exemplary Program in the Building Engineering and Science Talent (BEST) awards of 2004; the Maria Mitchell Women in Science Award in 2000; the National Science Foundation RAIRE (Recognition Award for the Integration of Research and Education) in 1987; Computer World Magazine, Internet and Education, Honors Medal and Finalist Award, 2002; and Executive Declaration, Michigan Governor James Blanchard, Women in Science Week, July 27-August 1, 1987.

In addition, Davis has hosted landmark national conferences on campus, serving as onsite host in 1987 for both the Gender and Science and Technology Conference and the inaugural national Women in Science and Engineering Conference.

Davis’ fierce determination to broaden opportunities in the sciences may stem from her own experiences as a student. She holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Grand Valley State University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in biologic chemistry from the University of Michigan. Davis subsequently spent several years as a postdoctoral scholar and research scientist in the Neurotoxicology Research Laboratories, Environmental and Industrial Health, in the School of Public Health of the University of Michigan.

Davis has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the “Can-Does” award from the Michigan Technology Council; a Congressional Resolution of Appreciation and Merit from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; the Maria Mitchell Women in Science Award, the Girl Scout Women of Distinction Award, and was named to the national Blue Ribbon Panel on Best Practices in Higher Education: Increasing the Participation of Under-Represented Groups in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Davis is a frequent speaker on attitudes towards women scientists, girls and sciences, and institutional barriers to women in science.

By Scott Roffman, Communications Intern, Media Relations & Public Affairs