About Us

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Purdue WE Link



 We're here to connect you to Purdue and answer any questions you have about Purdue Women in Engineering.  As current undergraduate women in engineering, we are your link to engineering, student life, and everything Purdue has to offer! We are dedicated to smoothing your transition into engineering and life at Purdue by answering your questions and sharing our knowledge with you. We'd love to answer any questions you have. Drop a note at our blog or contact us at welink@purdue.edu.






Fall 2026 Team
R1 Left to Right: Nicki, Sofi, Mia
R2 Left to Right: Disha, Ellie, Maddie, Haley
R3 Left to Right: Ella, Isa, Maddie, Ellie, Mia

Meet the Team


Maddie French, Senior, Computer Engineering





Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Maddie is a co-chair of Volunteer Nights for WE Link. Besides WE Link, she is also a part of the Society of Women Engineers and is a Mentor for the WiE Mentors and Mentees program. This past summer Maddie interned at Motorola Solutions where she worked as an Engineering Operations intern. In her free time, she loves playing basketball, hanging out with friends, and running on the Chicago lakefront trail! 

"I love WE Link because I get to connect with prospective students and can share what I love about Purdue and its community. The Women in Engineering Program offers so many resources and WE Link allows me to share everything I love about the program."

Mia Ortlieb, Senior, Mechanical Engineering





Hometown: Sarasota, Florida

Mia is a co-chair of the Recruitment Project Committee. Besides WE Link, Mia is a Mentor for the WiE Mentors and Mentees program, a Resident Assistant on campus, a member of the Theme Park and Design club, and participates in multiple intramural sports. This past summer Mia work at Boeing in Everett Washington under the Structures Engineering Automation team. In her free time Mia enjoys soccer, running, and traveling.

"I love WE Link because it helped make Purdue feel like my home away from home. I'm passionate about inspiring prospective students and seeing how this program positively impacts others, just as it did for me."




Ellie Bergeron, Senior, Chemical Engineering






Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois

Ellie is a co-chair of the social media team. Besides WE Link, Ellie participates in undergraduate ecotoxicology research at the Hoverman lab, is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has participated in 2 short term study abroad programs through the College of Engineering. This past summer, Ellie stayed on campus and participated in research through the Hoverman lab. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and watching documentaries.  

"I love WE Link because it gives me a direct way to interact with prospective students and share my experience at Purdue. The Women in Engineering Program was one of the biggest reasons I chose Purdue, and I love being able to give back to that program and help prospective students have the same, great, experience that I had."

Disha Kalia, Junior, Mechanical Engineering





Hometown: Closter, New Jersey

Disha is a co-chair of social media. Besides WE Link, she participates in undergraduate research as a research assistant at Zucrow Propulsion labs and is a member of the Purdue Space Programs hybrid repulsion team. This past summer, Disha worked as a space instrument realization intern at Los Alamos National Labs. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, knitting/crocheting, and reading.

"When I was applying to college, I was pretty nervous to pursue engineering; I wasn’t sure I was capable. WE Link’s support gave me the confidence to pursue mechanical engineering, and I ended up truly loving what I do. I love WE Link because I believe that everyone is capable of pursuing engineering, and I believe WE Link’s mission is to show people exactly that, and how Purdue will support them through that journey. "

Haley Self, Junior, Biomedical Engineering




Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Haley is a co-chair for the recruitment project committee. Other than WE Link, Haley participates in Undergraduate Research, Engineering Projects in Community Service, LEAD Leadership Facilitator, Rock Climbing Club, and WiE Mentees & Mentors. This past summer she was conducting research in a collagen-based biomaterial lab through the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. In her free time, Haley loves to rock climb, build legos, and watch musicals. 

"I love WE Link because of the amazing community and being able to connect with many prospective students!"

Nicki Gieseke, Sophomore, Industrial Engineering




Hometown: Joliet, Illinois

Nicki is a co-chair of the recruitment project committee. Other than WE Link, Nicki is a member of the All-American Marching Band, the Campus Inclusion Chair on the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers board, and part of the WiE Mentees and Mentors program. During her freshman year, she was a member of the WiE Learning Community and in ENGR 194. This past summer she interned as a Defense Manufacturing Engineer at Rolls-Royce in Indianapolis. In her free time, Nicki loves playing her mellophone, longboarding, and working out. 

"I love WE Link because I get to help cultivate the community I fell in love with at Purdue!" 

Sofia Abbondati, Sophomore, Biomedical

Engineering




Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sofi is a is a co-chair of the volunteer nights team. Other than WE Link, Sofi is a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Purdue and took Engineering 194. This past summer she traveled to Italy with her family and took Physics 241 online via Purdue. In her free time, Sofi enjoys watching TV, drawing, going on walks, and baking.  

"I love how WE Link is a community where everyone supports each other and I’ve met so many great people her."

Olivia Sommerville, Sophomore, Civil Engineering


Hometown: Evansville, Indiana 

Olivia is a co-chair of the volunteer nights team. Other than WE Link, Olivia is a member of The Makers Church on campus and lived in the WiE learning community. This past summer she worked at Lochumueller Group as a roadway and bridge design intern; she also took a trip to Acadia National Park. In her free time, Olivias loves playing pickleball, working on her diamond art projects, and watching movies with her roommates.  

"I love WE Link because it has given me the opportunity to connect with so many other women in engineering!"


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