The Michigan State University College of Engineering recognizes 19 faculty and staff members with awards for their excellence in service and distinguished contributions.
Honorees will be presented their awards during the 2024 Engineering Awards event to be held later this year.
Of the 19 award recipients, eight faculty and staff members are recognized for their dedication to the college, outstanding achievements and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
A look at each award winner and details about their honors:
Gloria Stragier Award for Dedicated and Creative Service
This award is presented to a staff member recognized for exceptional and creative job performance and/or concerned and creative leadership.
- Michelle Stewart, Electrical and Computer Engineering office assistant
Electrical and Computer Engineering office assistant Michelle Stewart is known for her innovative approaches to projects and willingness to contribute to ECE and the college in a positive way. Her cordial and supportive attitude serves as a role model for her peers and sets a standard that inspires others. Michelle utilizes her strong organizational skills to help manage schedules, organize events, and assist colleagues with travel plans. For the past decade, she has juggled multiple roles while maintaining a positive attitude and calm demeanor. “The department is very lucky to have a person like Michelle with extraordinary commitment and integrity to serve,” a colleague wrote in a nomination letter. “It is no wonder that Michelle has developed a reputation among faculty as a go-to person when in need.”
Spartans Will Award
This award is presented to a staff member who has worked in the college for at least two years and is viewed as a role model who exceeds expectations.
- Brian Wright, Electrical and Computer Engineering research and instructional equipment technologist
With 34 years of experience in the college, Brian Wright is known for providing unwavering support. The Electrical and Computer Engineering instructional equipment technician provides support for faculty, staff, and customers in multiple buildings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian rearranged labs and helped create a return-to-work plan for the department. Beyond his technical expertise, he has an ability to create meaningful relationships with students, faculty, and staff. Brian has earned a reputation for being the personification of Spartans Will. “Brian is the paradigm of an employee that goes extra miles to help the department, the college, and all of its constituents,” wrote a colleague in a nomination letter. “He has earned the full respect of students, faculty, and colleagues.”
Withrow Excellence in Diversity Awards
These awards recognize faculty and staff members who demonstrate outstanding achievement in advancing diversity through research, teaching, and outreach.
Sustained Excellence Award
- Assaf Gilad, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science professor
As an immigrant with English being his second language, Assaf Gilad is a staunch advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion within the College of Engineering and university as a whole. The Chemical Engineering and Materials Science professor’s lab has hosted more than 60 students from around the world. He has been an active participant in the Summer Research Opportunities Program since he joined MSU in 2017 and has led a public outreach program at the MSU Museum for three years. The program shares advances in DNA technology and protein engineering. Known for a strong conviction that individuals are the driving force behind good science, he is passionate about giving people equal opportunities to participate in impactful research. “Earlier this year, Assaf approached me with the idea to increase the involvement of the ChEMS department in diversity and inclusion activities,” wrote a colleague. “This is a testament to his dedication to creating opportunities for underrepresented students.”
Emerging Accomplishments Award
- Caroline Szczepanski, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science assistant professor
Caroline Szczepanski has demonstrated her commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and fosters an inclusive laboratory culture in her research group. The Chemical Engineering and Materials Science assistant professor is very active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, most notably with the Women in Chemical Engineering community. Caroline is an experienced mentor who arrived at MSU in 2019 and has participated consistently in workshops on bio-mimetic materials for K-12 outreach events. She has built a highly successful research program, serves as a role model for her peers and is always willing to meet with students. “Dr. Szczepanski has really established a supportive educational atmosphere that is welcoming to all members, regardless of culture, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, etc.,” wrote a colleague in a nomination letter. “From my perspective, it is amazing to work with her for her knowledge and passion to cultivate diversity from our research group to the broader community.”
Withrow Global Leadership Award
This award recognizes faculty and staff members who demonstrate outstanding achievement in advancing global scholarship through research, teaching, and outreach.
- Yadu Pokhrel, Civil and Environmental Engineering associate professor
Yadu Pokhrel is an internationally renowned scholar in large-scale water cycle modeling who has taught a variety of courses at MSU. The Civil and Environmental Engineering associate professor has also contributed to international education through mentoring and hosting visiting scholars. His exemplary international record in research, teaching, and service has positioned him as a global leader in hydrologic sciences. He has been at MSU since 2014 and has used his unique background and experiences to thrive with more than 20 active collaborations around the world. Yadu is known for greatly improving the scientific community’s understanding of how climate change and human activities are impacting the availability of water around the globe. “Yadu’s stature is very high among his peers – especially internationally,” wrote a researcher from another university in support of the award nomination. “(It is) evidenced by his outstanding and rapidly increasing publication record, citation numbers, and the types of collaborative projects of international scope he is leading or participating in.”
Withrow Student Service Award
This award is presented to an adviser, academic specialist, or non-tenure track instructor for outstanding service to students.
- Sharita Williamson, Undergraduate Studies specialist/adviser
With a profound commitment to student success, Sharita Williamson advises more than 700 undergraduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. One of her strongest qualities is a positive attitude that inspires students to continuously pursue professional growth. She joined MSU in 2013 and manages multiple tasks while pursuing a doctoral degree in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education. Sharita maintains her academic advising caseload with grace, patience, determination, and professionalism. In additional to professional roles, she is also a registered student adviser for the Black Poets Society and Golden Key International Honor Society. “During that first meeting, Sharita showed so much care for someone she had literally met not even an hour before,” wrote a student supporting her nomination. “I was amazed by the way she whipped up the perfect schedule without even missing a beat.”
Withrow Exceptional Service Awards
These awards, based on nominations from department chairpersons, recognize faculty who demonstrate exceptional institutional, public and community service.
- Timothy Gates, Civil and Environmental Engineering professor
Timothy Gates has more than 20 years of research experience in several areas including innovative traffic control devices, motorist behavior, speed limits, road safety, traffic operations, and transportation economics. The Civil and Environmental Engineering professor’s research has helped shape the State of Michigan’s transportation policies and has been impactful in the fields of driver behavior and roadway maintenance, and development. Timothy’s departmental leadership led to the re-establishment of the graduate program in transportation engineering after several years of dormancy. The program now includes five faculty members, multiple post-docs and academic staff, and more than 20 graduate students. “Dr. Gates’ service record has resulted in transformative impacts on the CEE Department, the College of Engineering, and MSU as an institution,” a colleague wrote in a nomination letter. “Of equal importance, his work has included tireless efforts to advance traffic safety and help lead national and local efforts at both the community and professional level.”
- Robert Ofoli, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science associate professor
Motivated by enabling the success of others, Robert Ofoli has invested 20 years of his life creating activities that ensure just and fair governance at all levels of MSU. The Chemical Engineering and Materials Science associate professor is an advocate for students, evident in his role for helping conceive the Chem-E car competition. It now draws over 1,000 students in the field each year from more than 200 institutions worldwide. Robert has been a dedicated faculty adviser for the MSU AIChE chapter for 25 years and received an Outstanding Adviser Award, an honor that only goes to about 1% of faculty advisers each year. “Robert has consistently advocated for underrepresented students, so that they (like him) can break through sub-cultural barriers and enrich the diversity and perspectives that are present in the engineering subculture of our society,” wrote a colleague nominating him for the award.
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Written by Eric Lacy, lacyeric@msu.edu. See more at the Engineering Media and Public Relations page.