In order to address the lower numbers of women and racial minorities in scientific work fields, Sutapa Basu and the UW Women’s Center Advisory Board launched the Making Connections program.

In 1998, with significant support from the Social Venture Partners of Seattle and other private funding the Making Connections program began.

Since its inception, this program has provided services to support young women in their pursuit of higher education and encouraged them to explore the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).