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Schrader accepted the award in October at the 38th annual Frontiers in Education Conference, a major international forum devoted to advancing computer science, engineering and technology education. In half a dozen letters of nomination and support from deans, professors and administrators at Purdue, Mississippi State University, University of Illinois, Boise State University and the Boise section of IEEE, Schrader was described as a “caring mentor,” “gifted administrator,” “outstanding researcher” and “visionary educator.”

“I am honored to be so highly regarded by my peers,” Schrader said. “Many of the strides I have made in furthering engineering at Boise State University were made possible by our dynamic administration, faculty and staff. I am excited about the future for women and underrepresented groups in engineering and am grateful to be part of building a college that has received national recognition for its diversity.”

The award is named for Harriett B. Rigas, a trailblazing electrical engineer and spirited advocate for the advancement of women in higher education. Rigas helped shatter the proverbial glass ceiling with internationally renowned computer engineering research as well as teaching, administrative and advisory positions at Washington State University, the Naval Postgraduate School, Michigan State University, the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences.

According to nominator Sarah Rajala, Dean of Engineering at Mississippi State and President of the American Society for Engineering Education, Schrader “has brought new vision, inclusiveness, and a deep commitment to helping faculty, students and prospective students succeed in technical careers.”

Schrader received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University and both a master’s and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. Before joining Boise State in 2003, she held faculty positions at her undergraduate alma mater and Rice University. She went on to the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she was associate dean for graduate studies and research and initiated and advised student chapters of Society of Women Engineers, engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi and Mexican American Engineers and Scientists.

She has authored more than 80 technical publications in engineering journals, has given more than 70 invited presentations and has been president of the IEEE Control Systems Society and chair of its Women in Control Committee. The recipient of many awards, including the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in 2005, Schrader has provided encouragement and motivation for thousands of K-12 girls through programs such as Women in Technical Careers, Expanding Your Horizons, e-Girls Summer Camp and Girl Scouts workshops.

Lauded for her extensive outreach efforts, Schrader personally supports and sets an example for women and other underrepresented groups who want to pursue careers in engineering. She has mentored more than 40 students over the years and provides crucial support for female faculty at Boise State. Thanks to her leadership, the College of Engineering is ranked second in the nation for the percentage of women on the faculty and for the number of women in leadership positions.

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Media Contact: Erin Ryan, University Communications, (208) 426-4910, erinryan@boisestate.edu

Boise State University is “The New U Rising” with record student enrollment, new academic buildings, additional degree programs and a growing research agenda. Learn more at www.boisestate.edu.   


Cutline for photo: Cheryl B. Schrader, dean of Boise State University's College of Engineering, accepts the prestigious Hewlett-Packard/Harriett B. Rigas Award from Robert Bouzon, representing award sponsor Hewlett-Packard.
 

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Last reviewed on Monday, November 17, 2008