Capitalizing STEM Opportunities at the Digital Divas Conference

The 2025 Digital Divas Conference kicked off on the campus of Eastern Michigan University (EMU) at the Student Center, with approximately 300 high school girls in attendance on Friday, October 24, 2025. The high school students represented several school districts, including Lincoln Consolidated Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools. The Digital Divas program was launched in 2010 at EMU with the mission of encouraging young women to pursue successful career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The success of the Digital Divas Conference is made possible by the continuous support of GameAbove, along with contributions from other sponsors, including the DTE Foundation, Toyota, Wacker, ITC, and the American Association of University Women Ann Arbor Branch.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Michigan’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Mohamad S. Qatu, Dean, EMU GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, and Dr. Sibrina Collins, Director, Institute for STEM Education, Outreach, and Workforce Development (EMU STEM Ed Institute), served as keynote speakers for the program. 

During her remarks, Congresswoman Dingell emphasized the importance of STEM-focused programs like Digital Divas, noting that women represent half of the U.S. population but hold only 26% of STEM occupations. Additionally, she honored the contributions of STEM pioneers such as Dr. Sally Ride, an astronaut and physicist, and Dr. Marie Curie, a chemist and physicist who received the Nobel Prize in Physics and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her aim was to inspire conference attendees to consider pursuing careers in STEM.

Dr. Collins' remarks centered on the theme "Capitalizing on STEM Opportunities." She highlighted the work of the EMU STEM Ed Institute and shared her journey in the field of chemistry, including how she uses popular films like Marvel Studios' Black Panther to engage students in STEM subjects. Collins also acknowledged the contributions of prominent scientists and mathematicians. Among them were Dr. Marie Maynard Daly, a chemist known for her research linking aging, hypertension and heart disease; Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville, a mathematician who contributed to three NASA projects, including Project Apollo; and Dr. Jewel P. Cobb, a cancer biologist who later served as president of a major research university.

Collins offered key life lessons to the attendees, including the importance of building a supportive network of friends, which she called her “personal Board of Directors (BOD).” Collins also emphasized that attendees would face challenges in their own careers. “Everyone will not be ready for the creativity and innovation you will bring to whatever career path you choose. You keep it moving and continue to bring your authentic self to the world,” said Collins.

Dean Qatu delivered the closing remarks at the Digital Divas Conference, highlighting the low percentage of women pursuing careers in engineering.  “This is an important area of focus in the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology. Women bring important and different perspectives,” he said. Dean Qatu reminded the conference attendees that they are still young and should absolutely embrace and take advantage of opportunities to participate in programs like Digital Divas to learn about career opportunities in STEM.

Photo Credit: Raj Rahman