Winners of the 2025 WEPAN Awards

WASHINGTON, DC (February 12, 2025) – Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 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 2025 WEPAN Awards recipients include:

Michael Smith, NAMEPA, 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.

Sarah Rodriguez, Virginia Tech, winner of the Betty Vetter Research Award for notable achievement in research related to women in engineering.

Cecilia Rodriguez Aragon, University of Washington, winner of the Bevlee A. 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.

P.K. Imbrie, University of Oklahoma, winner of the Distinguished Service Award recognizing a WEPAN member whose individual service has made a significant impact on the organization.

Adeeba A. Raheem, University of Texas at El Paso, winner of the Educator’s Award for excellence and innovation in STEM education work for girls and/or women. 

Mary Juhas, The Ohio State University, 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.

Alexandra Coso Strong, Cornell University, winner of the Leader in Engineering Education Award for creating new methods or approaches to enhance engineering education.

Bevlee A. Watford, Virginia Tech, winner of the President’s Award recognizing exemplary accomplishments by individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to WEPAN's goals and objectives.

NCWIT Higher Ed Team, winner of the Strategic Partner Award for promoting WEPAN’s mission and work.

Ala Qubbaj, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 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.

Nayleth Ramirez, RTX, winner of the Women in Engineering Champion Award for her volunteer contributions to STEM education at the primary, secondary, or collegiate levels.

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

Michigan State University Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, 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 and the Women in Engineering Program Day in San Antonio, Texas on February 9.

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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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