W.S. Lee College of Engineering Alumni Awards
Award Descriptions
Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
The Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award is bestowed upon alumni who actively promote the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion within the field of engineering. Examples may include mentoring or participation with the College of Engineering’s diversity programming and/or student organizations (Engage ME!, WE Engage!, NSBE, SHPE, SWE, or VECTER); fostering an inclusive climate in the workplace by implementing new initiatives to mitigate bias; mentoring and recruiting a diverse talent to their company (underrepresented minorities, women, veterans, LGBT, socio-economically disadvantaged groups, and people with disabilities); and sponsoring opportunities that promote growth and leadership for diverse individuals at the College of Engineering, within their employer, or their community.
Early Career Award
The Early Career Award honors alumni who have graduated from William States Lee College of Engineering within the last 10 years. Graduates are recognized for their exceptional accomplishments in their chosen field which may include company recognition and/or promotion, awards, certifications and professional accreditations (PE, PMP, LEED, Six Sigma), publications, presentations, entrepreneurship, patents, and innovation.
Industry Partnership Award
The Industry Partnership Award is presented to individual alumni who have connected their employer or other community organizations to the College to advance our education and research activities. This could include sponsoring new internships or co-ops; mentoring Senior Design projects; participation in mock or informational interviews; hosting factory or site tours; establishing student scholarships; allowing access to industry expertise and equipment; upgrading classrooms/labs or financially supporting research labs/centers; and collaborating on research contracts or grants.
Professional Achievement Award
The Professional Achievement Award is bestowed to alumni from William States Lee College of Engineering who have made significant contributions to their career field. Their leadership in the profession brings incredible recognition and honor to the College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Accomplishments may include professional advancement within a company or industry; state, national or international media coverage; awards; leadership in or voting member of industry organizations (such as ASCE, IEEE) or other boards (school board, city council); journal editor; program committee for conferences; entrepreneurship; patents and innovation.
Service Award
The Service Award is presented to alumni who have shown significant commitment to William States Lee College of Engineering. Honorees have generously given their time, energy, and leadership to advance the mission and vision of the College. Service examples may include involvement with student development (classroom speaking engagements, mentoring, Career Treks, Career Talks, Leadership Academy, Freshman Learning Community, and College student organizations), and serving on a College Board (Department, Alumni Council, Dean’s Board of Advisors).
Department Awards
Alumni from each of the five departments at the William States Lee College of Engineering will be recognized for utilizing their degrees and education to advance the engineering and engineering technology professions. The College departments are: Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Engineering Technology and Construction Management; and Industrial and Systems Engineering.