University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

Each year on June 23, International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the women who are driving innovation and shaping the future through technology. At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), we're proud to recognize Advancing Computer Science (ACS) Professor Rae Crusoe for her dedication to educating and inspiring the next generation of tech professionals.

Inspiring Future Innovators

Crusoe's passion for technology began more than 20 years ago while studying Computer Information Systems. After volunteering to reverse engineer a Perl-based website, she taught herself how to build websites and databases through independent research and hands-on experimentation. She later earned a Master's degree in Information Management and went on to build a successful career developing and maintaining ASP.NET websites across the banking, financial services, economic and nonprofit sectors.

Today, she brings that real-world experience into the classroom, helping students develop the technical skills, problem-solving abilities and creativity needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. Through hands-on projects and practical learning experiences, she encourages students to tackle complex challenges with confidence.

 "She can masterfully explain aspects of the subject and does so with apparent ease." said a student in one of Professor Crusoe's Spring 2026 classes. 

The Importance of Representation in STEM

International Women in Engineering Day also highlights the value of diverse perspectives in engineering and technology. As an educator and mentor, Crusoe serves as a role model for students pursuing careers in STEM, demonstrating the impact women continue to make across the industry.

Throughout her career, she has taught courses covering topics such as JavaScript, Python, databases, e-commerce, web analytics and Photoshop, helping students build both technical expertise and confidence in their abilities.

When asked, one student in her CSC211 class said "Professor Crusoe is incredibly intelligent and clearly a subject matter expert in MySQL. She is also very kind, thoughtful, and genuinely listens to her students. Her combination of expertise and compassion makes her an exceptional educator."

Shaping the Future Through Education

At UAT, students learn from faculty who bring industry knowledge and passion into the classroom. Crusoe's commitment to student success helps prepare graduates to innovate, lead and make meaningful contributions to the technology field.

This International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate Professor Rae Crusoe and her contributions to the UAT community, as well as the countless women helping shape the future of engineering and technology.

Ready to build the future through technology? Explore UAT's degree offerings and discover where your passion for innovation can take you.