NAMEPA Awards Dean Washington

Sept. 18, 2017 - Samueli School Dean Gregory Washington has received the 2017 President’s Award from the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates. NAMEPA recognized Washington for his contributions to supporting underrepresented STEM students at UC Irvine and for his strategic insight and continued advancement of its goals nationally.

NAMEPA, a national network of educators and representatives from industry, government and nonprofit organizations, seeks to improve the recruitment and retention of Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic American, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander students earning degrees in engineering; develop a diverse pool of engineers and scientists; and achieve equity and parity in the nation’s workforce.

A letter from NAMEPA informing Washington of his selection said: “Your legacy of broadening the participation of underrepresented students in engineering and STEM fields is a living testimony of excellence and commitment to student success. NAMEPA recognizes the support you provide, not only to your institution but to university leaders, student organizations and national engineering efforts.”

Washington, the Stacey Nicholas Dean of the Samueli School of Engineering, received the award last week at the 38^th annual NAMEPA National Conference held at Virginia Tech University. He said he is deeply honored by the acknowledgement. “NAMEPA does very important work to promote engineering to underrepresented groups and to support their journeys. I’m grateful to be recognized on behalf of UCI for our efforts to extend the benefits of an education in engineering and other STEM fields to students who might otherwise not have had those opportunities.”

- Anna Lynn Spitzer