Phi Sigma Rho is a sorority aimed at building a sisterhood for undergraduates pursuing STEM majors that may experience gender-based challenges in their fields.
With its national chapter established in 1984, Phi Sigma Rho operates as a social sorority for women in engineering and STEM-related fields. It works to help members balance the rigor of scientific majors with friendship and connection, according to its website.
Karen Kramer, the president of Phi Sigma Rho and a junior studying human systems engineering, said the ASU chapter was founded in 2016.
"We're like a middle ground between an engineering ... (or) business frat and a big social sorority," Kramer said.
While 2024 data from the Pew Research Center shows women are outpacing men in bachelor degree completion by 10 percentage points, men still obtain far more degrees in STEM fields than women, according to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2024.
Phi Sigma Rho hosts events that build both professional and social connections among members, ranging from mixers with an engineering-focused fraternity to study dates and networking opportunities, Kramer said. Phi Sigma Rho also participates in Greek life traditions such as Philo Week, a philanthropy event that supports the Phi Sigma Rho Foundation to fund organizations like the Girl Scouts and Blood Cancer United.
Hridya Puthiyaveettil, the sorority's vice president of finance and a junior studying biological sciences, said the organization also works with its alumna network to host resume-building workshops and guest speaking events that help sisters in their professional lives.
"We definitely do have that benefit of our alums coming and inspiring us, as well, and giving us a perspective of the outside world after college," Puthiyaveettil said.
READ MORE: Sisterhood in STEM: How women create communities for success
Through a LinkedIn group chat between all chapters, ASU's branch of Phi Sigma Rho is connected to a nationwide network of alumna, Kramer said.
Many STEM classes, particularly in engineering fields, are dominated by male students, Kramer said. Having women in the classes can provide needed support.
"I've had classes with sisters, and it's nice to be able to go sit by them and be a united front," Kramer said.
Kramer added that it can be difficult to be taken seriously as a woman in male-dominated courses.
Anushka Khare, the sorority's vice president of communications and a sophomore studying biological sciences, said the same.
"I know that this has happened to so many other girls, where if you're in a setting where it's primarily dudes, you can sometimes feel like your input either doesn't get the credit that it deserves or, on the opposite side of the spectrum, where you're left doing a lot of the work," Khare said.
READ MORE: How women have established solidarity in male-dominated fields
Phi Sigma Rho creates a space where everyone's opinions are valued, Khare said.
The big-little program, a sorority tradition in which initiated members are paired with new members, helps sisters form not only mentorship relationships but also friendships, Khare said.
Puthiyaveettil said running for office in the sorority was a product of the supportive and encouraging environment in Phi Sigma Rho.
"I wouldn't have tried that hard if it wasn't for the girls motivating me, pushing me to do it," Puthiyaveettil said.
Kramer said the sorority is one of the best parts of her resume.
"It's just so nice to have that environment to go to when being in an engineering major is so male dominant," Kramer said. "It's nice to have sisters who are in those same classes and know the struggle sometimes."
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Senna James and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporters at ccbixby@asu.edu.
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