Knowles Commits $250,000 for Women in Engineering

Donation provides scholarships and supports engineering programs for female students at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Engineering

Knowles UIC Student Summer Program 2018 (Photo: Business Wire)

ITASCA, Ill.--()--Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN), a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, today announced it has committed $250,000 to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Engineering to support female engineering students. Knowles’ donation is vital to creating positive and enriching environments for students to discover potential career paths in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

“As a technology pioneer, Knowles recognizes that STEM disciplines are at the heart of our business and an integral part of the future of communication technology,” said Jeffrey Niew, president and CEO of Knowles. “Our collaboration with the UIC College of Engineering, which began in 2014, is a natural way for us to support the development of young women and the skills needed to have a rewarding career.”

The $250,000 donation will help fund:

  • Scholarships: High-achieving incoming female freshman STEM students are eligible for UIC’s College of Engineering Society of Women Engineers-Knowles Scholarships. Having strong financial resources is critical to attracting and retaining high-performing women students.
  • UIC’s Women in Engineering Summer Program (WIESP): The multi-week, intensive program exposes 25-30 junior and senior level high school students to various engineering fields. The course focuses on engineering concepts, robotics and spatial competencies. Each year, Knowles hosts the program’s students at its corporate headquarters in Itasca for a day of hands-on learning about careers in engineering.

“Our mission is to ensure that groups underrepresented in STEM have the opportunity to achieve their highest educational goals and realize both personal and professional success,” said Peter Nelson, dean of UIC’s College of Engineering. “Knowles’ generosity will significantly help strengthen the College’s efforts to provide access to the engineering field for women.”

Beyond the financial commitment to UIC, Knowles and the College are exploring opportunities for Knowles’ engineers to help shape a curriculum and present engineering topics to the WIESP students. Niew is the Chairman of the College’s Advisory Board and has mentored and spoken with UIC engineering students on several occasions. Knowles’ engineers and employees frequently speak to university students across the Midwest about engineering and potential careers paths. For more information about Knowles’ commitment to gender diversity in engineering careers, visit www.knowles.com/womeninengineering.

About Knowles Corporation

Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN) is a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, serving the mobile consumer electronics, communications, medical, military, aerospace, and industrial markets. Knowles uses its leading position in MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) microphones and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio systems and improve the user experience in mobile, ear, and IoT applications. Knowles is also the leader in acoustic components used in hearing aids and has a strong position in high-end capacitors. Knowles’ focus on the customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, rigorous testing and global scale, enables it to deliver innovative solutions that optimize the user experience. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles has employees in 11 countries around the world. For more information, visit knowles.com.

About University of Illinois at Chicago

UIC ranks among the nation's leading research universities and is Chicago's largest university with more than 31,500 students, nearly 2,000 faculty members, 15 colleges and the state's major public medical center. UIC was ranked in 2018 by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education as #7 in the United States for best value, a designation given to universities that provide an excellent education for their net cost. A hallmark of the campus is the Great Cities Commitment, through which UIC faculty, students and staff engage with community, corporate, foundation and government partners to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas around the world. For more information about UIC, please visit www.uic.edu.

About University of Illinois at Chicago College of Engineering

The College of Engineering is home to more than 3,700 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students, offering undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in six departments as well as an online master’s degree and a master’s of energy engineering degree. Its 176 faculty members include 40 National Science Foundation CAREER award winners, 81 fellows of national and international professional societies, and 75 recipients of campus teaching awards. In addition to field-specific research, faculty conduct interdisciplinary research in biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, cyber security, infrastructure, and energy/environmental technology. Currently, more than $90 million of research grants are in force.

Contacts

Knowles Investor Relations
Mike Knapp
630-238-5236
Mike.Knapp@Knowles.com

Contacts

Knowles Investor Relations
Mike Knapp
630-238-5236
Mike.Knapp@Knowles.com