News Release

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November 22, 2005

College of Engineering Dean Cheryl Schrader Receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mentoring

 

Cheryl Schrader, dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State University, is one of 11 recipients nationwide of the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

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Schrader received the national award at recent ceremonies at the White House executive office complex in Washington, D.C. The award, supported and administered by the National Science Foundation, includes a $10,000 grant for continued mentoring work.

“I’m very honored to receive this presidential award,” Schrader said. “I believe that mentoring is the common thread in ‘K through gray’ that will help us address the national technology work force crisis, produce an educated citizenry, and attract women and underrepresented minorities to exciting and rewarding careers.”

The presidential award honors individuals and institutions that have enhanced the participation of underrepresented groups, such as women, minorities and people with disabilities, in science, mathematics and engineering at all levels. Since its inception in 1996, the program has recognized 97 individuals at 68 institutions nationwide.

Schrader, who joined Boise State’s faculty in 2003 as dean of the College of Engineering, was lauded at the White House ceremonies for her extensive outreach efforts to encourage women and other underrepresented groups to pursue and excel at careers in engineering. She has individually mentored more than 40 students over the course of her career, and has also provided support for female faculty at Boise State. Under her tenure, 66 percent of the faculty hired in the College of Engineering have been from underrepresented groups.

Schrader is the founding faculty adviser for the Society of Women Engineers at the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as for its engineering honor society. She is the past president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Control Systems Society and chair of the IEEE’s Women in Control Committee.

Among her many accomplishments, 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 Scout workshops.

“Dr. Schrader is an inspiration to our students, staff and faculty, particularly those from underrepresented groups, and we congratulate her on receiving this national recognition,” said Boise State Provost Sona Andrews. “Her vision, enthusiasm and dedication have made her a tremendous asset in creating a campus climate that fosters accessibility and inclusiveness. She is a perfect example of what makes Boise State University distinctive.”

While in Washington, D.C., Schrader participated in roundtable discussions with other award recipients, and will collaborate on a position paper on mentoring issues for consideration by White House staff. Schrader said she will use her $10,000 award to support e-Girls workshops at Boise State that encourage adolescent girls to consider careers in engineering and the sciences, and for an expanded mentoring program complementing a grant from the Hewlett Foundation.

Schrader received a Ph.D. and master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University. Before coming to Boise State, Schrader was associate dean for graduate studies and research at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has authored more than 75 technical publications in engineering journals and has given more than 50 invited presentations.

The presidential awards were presented by the chief of staff and director of the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, the director of the National Science Foundation, and other officials. Schrader was nominated for the presidential mentoring award by Dawnlee Roberson, a biomedical engineering professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

According to Roberson, Schrader “firmly believes that the future of the engineering profession and the competitiveness of the United States depends on engaging those who have not traditionally pursued careers in engineering — namely women, minorities and persons with disabilities.”

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Contact: Cheryl Schrader, College of Engineering, (208) 426-1153, schrader@boisestate.edu 
Media Contact: Janelle Brown, Communications, (208) 426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu,  and Margaret Scott, College of Engineering, (208) 426-5789, margaretscott@boisestate.edu




 

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Last reviewed on Thursday, December 22, 2005