Texas A&M joins program to empower women in clean energy

The U.S. Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) program is now joining forces with three universities to advance women’s participation and leadership in clean energy.

The program, led by the U.S. Department of Energy, will now feature contributions from the Texas A&M Energy Institute, which joins the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative (MITEI), and the Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy.

“As a proud Aggie, I am thrilled to see my alma mater joining this important effort to encourage women to lead the way to our energy future,” DOE Secretary Rick Perry said. “With this type of collaborative effort by such distinguished institutions, our energy workforce will continue to expand beyond measure.”

One of the key elements of the C3E program is the C3E Ambassadors, who are senior leaders who serve as role models and advocates for women in clean energy.

Another feature of the program is the annual C3E Women in Clean Energy Symposium, designed to help women in the clean energy sector build the skills and professional networks needed to succeed.  The symposium inspired many women to take the next step in their careers. An awards program recognizing the outstanding leadership and achievements of mid-career women working to advance clean energy is also included in C3E.

MITEI and the DOE have collaborated on the planning of the symposium for the past six years, with the Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy joining in 2016. Now, the Texas A&M Energy Institute, which will host the event on a rotating basis as well as this year’s Ambassadors retreat.

“MITEI is thrilled for Texas A&M Energy Institute’s collaboration in the U.S. Clean Energy, Education & Empowerment program,” said MITEI Executive Director Martha Broad. “Their support will help even more women advance and achieve recognition for their clean energy careers while expanding the vibrant C3E network.”

This year’s symposium will be held at Stanford University in December 2018, while Texas A&M will host 2019.

“At the Texas A&M Energy Institute, we are dedicated to discovering energy solutions that improve the quality of life for all people,” Stratos Pistikopoulos, interim co-director and deputy director of the Texas A&M Energy Institute, said. “Through a partnership within the Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) initiative, we believe that we can encourage positive change that will bring awareness and recognition to the significant role that women play in conceiving, designing, and implementing a clean energy future for Texas, the United States, and the world.”

This new collaboration will broaden the geographic reach and diverse representation of the C3E program and further promote women’s leadership in the energy sector.

“C3E recognizes that the ideas and talents of all members of society are essential to meeting our future energy challenges and that more women’s participation and leadership is key to realizing that future,” Sally Benson, co-director of Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy, said. “Texas A&M Energy Institute joining in this work is a major advance, and I’m delighted to have the Aggies as partners.”