Roger Williams University President Establishes the Miaoulis Women in Engineering Scholarship

December 17, 2024By Jill Pais '05

President Miaoulis created the Miaoulis Women in Engineering Scholarship in honor of his granddaughters, Lila (who he is holding in this picture), Sage, and Clover, and his commitment to STEM education.

BRISTOL, R.I. -As part of our commitment to STEM education, Roger Williams University is announcing the Ioannis Miaoulis Women in Engineering Scholarship, aimed at supporting students pursuing an engineering degree at RWU.

RWU President Ioannis Miaoulis, an engineer and longtime engineering professor, established the scholarship fund to honor his granddaughters, Sage and Clover, and celebrate the birth of his new granddaughter, Lila, on Thanksgiving Day. This endowed scholarship supports RWU engineering majors who have experiences that reflect a dedication to advocacy for women's equity and empowerment or have membership in organizations open to all but whose missions seek to advance the needs of women, such as RWU's chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.

"I am the proud father of two daughters who both gained engineering degrees. I am committed to providing an educational pathway for the future engineers who will shape and improve the field," Miaoulis said. "Endowing this scholarship combines my life loves of family and STEM. Providing greater access to a degree with financial assistance fosters talented and innovative engineers who serve as role models to young girls like my granddaughters, who I hope will follow in their mothers' and my footsteps."

Miaoulis has dedicated his career to advancing STEM education, focusing on expanding access for girls and women to pursue educational and career opportunities in engineering and technology fields.

"President Miaoulis' gift will support generations of students in achieving a top engineering education from Roger Williams University," said Heather Boujoulian, Chair of the RWU Board of Trustees. "I applaud his dedication to STEM education and to supporting women in pursuing engineering careers, and I am excited to see our future graduates make their mark on our world."

RWU offers a B.S. in Engineering, with specializations in civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, and mechanical engineering, as well as minors focused on engineering biomechanics, engineering robotics, and structural engineering. RWU's Engineering program is housed in the Richard L. Bready Applied Learning Laboratories, a hub of labs, project rooms and open spaces dedicated to hands-on, collaborative teaching and learning. The School of Engineering, Computing, and Construction Management (SECCM)focuses on experiential learning and cutting-edge industry trends, preparing graduates with the skills and real-world experiences to meet the challenges facing the engineering and design build industries.

For more information on the engineering scholarship, contact [email protected]or 1-800-458-7144.