Arizona’s public universities are driving the state’s rise as a national hub for engineering and technology talent. With Arizona among the fastest-growing states in the nation and demand accelerating across the semiconductor, health care and tech sectors, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona are producing skilled graduates who are meeting workforce needs and advancing the state’s innovation economy.
Since 2017, the number of women enrolled in engineering majors at Arizona’s public universities has grown by 30%. Across the state, female engineering students at the universities are winning national competitions, securing research grants and even filing patents. International Women in Engineering Day, celebrated on June 23, is a moment to recognize and honor the contributions of women in engineering, a commitment proudly shared by the board and Arizona’s public universities.
“Arizona has successfully positioned itself as an emerging leader in engineering,” said ABOR Chair Cecilia Mata. “To keep that momentum, we must continue investing in our public universities as they prepare students to succeed in these high-demand industries. As a woman in business, I’m thrilled to have more women become engineers.”
With Arizona’s rapid growth comes a fierce race for talent. Across industries, the number one concern isn’t technology or capital, it’s people. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for engineering occupations are expected to grow faster than the 4 percent average for all occupations nationwide between 2023 and 2033. About 195,000 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations. Through the AZ Opportunity initiative, ABOR and the state’s public universities are answering that demand, fueling a workforce built for innovation, resilience and real-world impact.
As the demand for engineers grows, so does Arizona’s reputation for producing graduates who are ready to lead. ASU, NAU and the U of A are launching the next generation of women engineers, trailblazers who are powering the state’s economic momentum and catching the attention of business leaders across the region.
“Each of Arizona’s universities are preparing our workforce for high demand industries, making breakthroughs in life-saving fields like healthcare and biosciences, and fueling economic growth and job creation,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of Arizona Commerce Authority.
Three stand-out groups from each university are proving that Arizona’s next generation of women in STEM aren’t just ready for the future, they’re building it. These students are already making their mark before they even graduate, working to design smarter hospitals, build safer infrastructure and solve real-world challenges. From biomedical breakthroughs to mechanical and design marvels, they’re turning classroom theory into industry-changing impact.
At ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, five female biomedical engineering students formed FemEng Health Solutions, a capstone project with a core mission to save lives. The group, composed of Jocelyne Espinoza, Simone LaMagna, Riley Perez, Kylie Peterson and Alexis Williams, set out to tackle a silent crisis facing women – postpartum hemorrhage – the leading cause of maternal mortality that affects nearly one in five women.
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the standard method for identifying this serious medical issue relies on visually estimating blood loss after childbirth, a process that is often imprecise and unreliable. To improve patient outcomes, the team engineered a device that alerts medical staff the moment intervention is needed. This innovative solution enhances early detection and is already showing promise in improving maternal health outcomes. The group has filed for a provisional patent and hopes to bring their technology to women’s health care in Arizona as soon as possible.
Each of the ASU group members recognizes the challenges of tackling big problems, especially those students still finding their footing in the field. For those new problem solvers, they encourage those young women to stay focused on their goals and to not get discouraged.
“Stick with it and find people that are uplifting and telling you that you can do it,” said LaMagna. “Girls can do math and science, and I think we should encourage girls to do so.”
At NAU’s Steve Sanghi College of Engineering, Alicia Corona, Claire Mitchell and Norma Munoz channeled their curiosity and creativity to take on the critical issue of cardiovascular health. As one of the only all-female engineering capstone groups at NAU, these three women launched Tense Med Mechanics, a project centered around the process known as photobiomodulation. By utilizing targeted red LED lights and sensors, they are able to stimulate cellular activity, ultimately enhancing cell function and promoting heart health without a single incision.
Their project became a proving ground for everything they had learned at NAU while also mastering new skills such as soldering and web design. The real-world experience of the project allowed them to refine their technical acumen while also strengthening key skills for new engineers entering the workforce – teamwork, adaptability and communication.
Now graduates, the NAU trio are beginning their careers in mechanical engineering with a mindset shaped by problem solving and a drive to reimagine how things work. “I’ve always been interested in taking things apart,” said Munoz. “My dad said when I was little that I took a little robot apart and put it back together.”
At the U of A’s College of Engineering, five female engineering students recently made history, becoming the first all-female team to win the Design-Build Institute of America’s national competition thanks to their visionary plan to expand a major U.S. airport. The team – composed of Macie Balkan, Kenadee Carruthers, Reuel Florendo, Lauren Johnson and Lily Trenkamp – combined the strengths of civil and architectural engineering to soar past the competition.
The students were tasked with designing the first phase of a terminal expansion and given a $100 million budget. “All we had was a budget and a general timeline of when we should be finished by, and the fact that it’s an airport,” said Johnson. “There were almost no guidelines for us, which almost made it harder because we had to think of everything on our own.”
The U of A team incorporated commercial design elements into the aviation needs of the airport, creating a detailed proposal that impressed the judges. They credit their collaboration and interpersonal skills for their success, as well as the numerous electives and internship opportunities that U of A provides its engineers.
As the first all-female team to win the competition, they encourage the next class of Wildcat engineers to be curious and work hard. “I think my number one thing is just to not be afraid to take up space. Be visible and vocal,” Johnson reflected.
These trailblazing female engineers aren’t just building infrastructure; they’re reshaping the future of their field. Through bold ideas and breakthrough collaborations, they’re proving that innovation thrives when opportunity meets ambition.
Their journey is also a testament to the power of Arizona’s public universities, which continue to open doors for students who seek challenges, purpose and impact. With every project, these institutions are fueling a pipeline of talent that’s not only ready for the workforce, but ready to lead it
