American Concrete Institute (ACI) – University of Toronto Chapter
Graduate Society of Women Engineers (GradSWE)
GradSWE is a community for female engineering graduate students at the University of Toronto (U of T). Graduate school has a rhythm unlike any other stage of life, and we exist so that women on this path have a space to connect, grow, and bloom together. We build community through social events, cultural outings, a professional development podcast, and through partnerships with SWE Toronto and the International Women's Day Gala with WISE at U of T.
Key Accomplishments for 2025-2026
1. International Women's Day Gala (Co-organized with WISE U of T). GradSWE co-organized the annual International Women's Day Gala with WISE U of T in March 2026, themed "STEM in Full Bloom". The evening brought together approximately 225 attendees, featuring keynote speaker Eva Lau, faculty remarks from U of T President Melanie Woodin, and panels on academia and industry pathways. Sponsors included Ubisoft Toronto, AMD, Cohere, Vale, and OPG.
2. Book Club Relaunch. In March 2026, GradSWE relaunched its book club with "Project Hail Mary" (chosen by member vote) kicking off with a cozy event featuring hot chocolate, pastries, and a book raffle that drew 25 attendees. Members gathered across multiple mid-book and end-of-book meetups, with café visits and a group movie screening. The club plans to read one book per month on an ongoing basis, building a consistent space for connection.
3. "She Speaks STEM" Podcast. Launched in March 2025, "She Speaks STEM" is GradSWE's official podcast hosted on Spotify. Now eight episodes strong, the show features emerging scholars, accomplished alumni, and expert guests covering topics from academic career paths to fitness in grad school. The podcast extends GradSWE's reach beyond campus to inspire the next generation of women in STEM.
CPSIF Funding Impact
CPSIF funding is the primary source of financial support for GradSWE, and its impact cannot be overstated: without it, our programming simply would not exist. This year, funding enabled us to co-organize the International Women's Day Gala for approximately 225 attendees, relaunch our book club with snacks and giveaways, produce our podcast "She Speaks STEM", create branded merchandise to raise awareness at events, and provide supplies for hands-on activities including tote bag painting and vision boarding. To our donors: you are investing in a community where women in engineering feel seen, valued, and empowered to make an impact.
Book Club meetup at
Café Foret. Photographer: Sajida Chowdhury.
GradSWE Executive
Team and Academic Panelists at
the International Women's Day
Gala in March 2026. Photographer unknown.
The annual GradSWE x
SWE Toronto Holiday Party held at
University of Toronto in December
2025. Photographer unknown.
GradSWE members take a
tour of the Bata Shoe Museum in
March 2026. Photographer unknown.
Students painting totes at GradSWE’s
tote bag painting event held at the UTGSU Grad
Loft in October 2025. Photographer: Saida Inoa.
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