Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University's GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology is set to host its annual Digital Divas Conference on October 24, 2025. The event will bring together over 300 high school girls at the EMU Student Center in Ypsilanti.

The conference aims to encourage young women to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by providing exposure to various career opportunities. Mohamad Qatu, dean of the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, stated: "Digital Divas aims to bridge the diversity gap in STEM. We focus on inspiring young women to become innovators, creators, and leaders by showcasing a wide array of career opportunities in STEM, empowering them to confidently enter the tech industry and make an impact with their unique perspectives and talents."

Attendees will participate in hands-on workshops and interactive sessions covering subjects such as aviation, chemistry, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, esports, and interior design. Educators, industry professionals, and EMU students will lead these activities.

Several schools from southeast Michigan are expected to participate. These include Airport High School - Upward Bound; Annapolis High School; Bradford Academy; Central Academy; Denby High School/Life Remodeled Future Firsts; Fordson High School; Hope of Detroit Academy; Jefferson High School - Upward Bound; Lincoln Consolidated High School; Monroe High School - Upward Bound; Northwestern High School; Pontiac Academy for Excellence; William D. Ford Career Tech Center; and Ypsilanti STEMM Middle College.

Breakout sessions planned for the event include “Cleared for Takeoff with Women in Aviation and Alpha Eta Rho,” “Code & Play: Build Your Own Video Game with Women in Computer Science,” “Cosmetic Chemistry & Demos with EMU Chemistry Club,” “Live Broadcast Production, Esports with EMU Esports,” and “Virtual Reality, Interior Architecture and Interior Design with EMU Interior Design.”

Sponsors supporting this year’s conference are the DTE Foundation, Toyota, Wacker, ITC, and the American Association of University Women Ann Arbor Branch.

Since its inception in 2010, Digital Divas has engaged more than 10,000 middle- and high-school girls from southeast Michigan. The initiative focuses not only on fostering interest in STEM but also on preparing participants for future careers as innovators.

Additional details about the event can be found on the EMU Digital Divas homepage. Information about Eastern Michigan University's GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology is available at gameabove.emich.edu.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as Michigan's second-oldest public university. It currently enrolls over 12,000 students across a range of undergraduate through doctoral programs spanning arts and sciences as well as professional fields. The university emphasizes applied education through hands-on learning experiences that prepare graduates for careers after graduation. More information about EMU can be found at the University's website.