Winners of the 2024 WEPAN Awards

WASHINGTON, DC (February 28, 2024) – Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) Awards! 

WEPAN Award honorees demonstrate extraordinary service, significant achievement, model programs, and exemplary work environments that promote a culture of inclusion and the success of women in engineering. Over twenty exemplary individuals, programs, and organizations have been selected to join the ranks of a distinguished group of honorees. 

The 2024 WEPAN Awards recipients include:

O. Thompson Mefford, Clemson University, winner of the Advocates and Allies Award honoring a man or group of men for mentoring, supporting and advocating for the success of women in engineering, or for climate and culture change that supports such success.

Brooke Coley, Arizona State University, winner of the Betty Vetter Research Award for notable achievement in research related to women in engineering.

Kimberly Cook-Chennault, Rutgers University, winner of the Bevlee Watford Inclusive Excellence Award for actively and creatively supporting the success of women of color in engineering at the undergraduate, graduate, faculty, and/or administrative levels.

Laura Bistrek, University of Dayton, winner of the Distinguished Service Award recognizing a WEPAN member whose individual service has made a significant impact on the organization.

Araceli Martinez Ortiz, University of Texas at San Antonio, winner of the Educator’s Award for excellence and innovation in STEM education work for girls and/or women. 

Lee Ann Schwope, Amphora Consulting, winner of the Founders Award recognizing a WEPAN member who exemplifies the spirit of the WEPAN founders through individual service that has made a significant impact for the organization.

Gloria Bañuelos, Qualcomm, winner of the Industry Trailblazer Award for enhancing the career success of women in STEM professionals, especially women identifying with underrepresented groups. 

Rebecca Brent, Education Designs Inc., winner of the Leader in Engineering Education Award for creating new methods or approaches to enhance engineering education.

Sheila Ross, Milwaukee School of Engineering, winner of the President’s Award, recognizing exemplary accomplishments by individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to WEPAN's goals and objectives.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, winner of the Strategic Partner Award for promoting WEPAN’s mission and work.

Amy Wendt, University of Wisconsin Madison, winner of the University Change Agent Award for having a positive impact within their academic institution with regard to the climate for women in STEM, with an emphasis on engineering.

Lena Furci, HER Academy, winner of the Women in Engineering Champion Award for her volunteer contributions to STEM education at the primary, secondary, or collegiate levels.

WISE Mentoring Program, University of Dayton, winner of the Women in Engineering Initiative Award at the academia level for an outstanding project or initiative that serves as a model for other institutions.

Game Changer Academies, Kardia Group and the National Science Foundation’s Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation Division, winner of the Women in Engineering Initiative Award at the industry/government level for an outstanding project or initiative that serves as a model for other institutions.

Penn State University Women in Engineering Program, winner of the Women in Engineering Program Award for an outstanding women in engineering program that serves as a model for other institutions.

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at the College of Engineering, Wichita State University, winner of the WEPAN and DiscoverE Girl Day Award (National Engineers Week Award) for organizations and individuals who empower girls with information about opportunities in engineering through the “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” initiative.

The prestigious WEPAN Awards honor key individuals, programs, and organizations for accomplishments that underscore WEPAN's mission to advance cultures of inclusion and diversity in engineering education and professions.

The awards were presented at the CoNECD conference in Crystal City, Virginia on February 25-27.

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About WEPAN:

WEPAN is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1990. It is the nation’s first network dedicated to advancing cultures of inclusion and diversity in engineering higher education and workplaces. WEPAN connects people, research and practice. It offers power initiatives, projects and professional development that equips advocates with the tools to create sustainable, systems-level changes that allow ALL in engineering to thrive. To learn more, visit www.wepan.org.

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