NORMAN—A University of Oklahoma research associate professor and director, Susan E. Walden, has been elected to the Academy of Fellows for the American Society for Engineering Education. Walden, the first ASEE awardee from OU, has made significant individual contributions to her body of work related to diversity and inclusion in engineering education within the P-16 initiative. The fellow designation honors her scholarship and service for improving engineering education, especially in pre-college settings.

“Dr. Walden not only is a major force in enhancing diversity and inclusion of engineering students at OU, but she also is a national leader in STEM education and has published important papers that are helping other institutions drive positive change in diversity and related challenges,” said OU Vice President for Research Kelvin Droegemeier.

According to ASEE, the board of directors confers the grade of Fellow following a rigorous nomination process on members who exhibit outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and contributions to engineering and the society.

The ASEE Pre-College Engineering Education division sponsored Walden’s nomination as a fellow and also selected her to receive the Pre-College Engineering Education Meritorious Service Award at the society’s conference. The Meritorious Service Award is given to a member who has provided exemplary service in alignment with the division’s vision, mission and core beliefs and in support of pre-college engineering education efforts with the society.

“I am incredibly honored to receive these recognitions from my outstanding pre-college engineering colleagues. I gratefully acknowledge the opportunities that I have been able to pursue through the University of Oklahoma. These achievements would not have been possible without the collaboration of my current and former team members in the Research Institute for STEM Education, the Sooner Elementary Engineering and Science Clubs, and the Sooner Engineering Education Center,” Walden said.                                                                                                                   

Walden, research associate professor in the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU, also serves as director of the Research Institute for STEM Education; associate director of the Sooner Engineering Education Center; core affiliate faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, Women and Gender Studies Program; and director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Office of the Vice President for Research on the Norman campus.