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Catching Up with Student Government President Danielle Topale

portrait of a woman

Danielle Topale, Computer Information Systems '24 (Photo by Matthew Conde)

Last semester, senior Danielle Topale was elected President of the Wentworth Institute of Technology Student Government, the second consecutive female student to serve in that role. We recently chatted with Danielle to hear about her experiences at Wentworth and what drew her to the university. 

What initially attracted you to Wentworth? 
 

I was attracted to Wentworth for a few reasons. The first being Wentworth had the major Computer Information Systems, which I was very interested in. The second was I was more interested in learning through projects than just exams. Wentworth offers a learning experience that prepares you for your career, which is what I wanted. Third I didn’t want to be just a number in a huge lecture hall. My classes are never more than maybe 25–30 students and I can get to know all my professors. Wentworth showed me that it takes an approach that is innovative, and I wanted to be surrounded by that. 

How has it been navigating a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) school as a woman and what are some positive steps you believe Wentworth is taking to recruit and retain more women? 
 

It can be challenging at times but what I love most about it is that I can say confidently I am prepared to enter a field in which there are a few women due to the experience that I have gained here. I then hope to inspire other women to enter a STEM field by reflecting on my experience and show them that they can do it.  

There are many women leaders here on campus who all inspire me to continue doing the work that I do. There are many different programs on campus surrounding women's leadership. Besides all the amazing programs, there are just amazing women leaders here. Many of my friends are also women leaders, which help to encourage the work that I do. From women-identifying students to staff and faculty there is so much inspiration around us every day that even though the programming is supporting us, it is also about the community.  

What do you think Wentworth students hope for with WSG and advocates like you? 
 

I think they hope for someone to listen to what they say, and take what they say and try to make it a reality. Someone who is living in the same shoes as them but can make what they live through, challenges or not, heard by the administration. 

You have been involved with WSG for a couple of years now—what stands out for you in that time? 
 

I co-started the dining committee to enforce dining changes. The new firepits on campus were an idea I had back in Spring 2021 that are [now] ready for use on campus by students. During the height of COVID-19, I made fun activity bags that went into the quarantine housing for students to enjoy. In the Fall of 2021, I worked with the director of Fitness [Michael Williams] to create a woman’s power hour that promotes women’s fitness. In the Summer of 2022, I enforced the need for new equipment in the Tansey weight room that is being purchased. Those are a few so far! 

Why did you want to be president and what is your top goal? 
 

I saw areas of improvement that, if changed, would benefit the student body. I also wanted to be able to support the student leaders on campus and on the WSG executive board. My top goal is to create a way for WSG to include more student voices in the projects that we do. This will add more value to our decisions and have a wider range of voices when we work on projects. Making this change will help more students now, and in the future, as well as enhance the decisions we make because we will be getting more input than we previously did.