On March 13, 2025, Dean Ian Robertson held an event to recognize engineering faculty and staff for outstanding contributions. Kassi Akers<\/a>, an academic program specialist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, received the Inclusive Excellence in Engineering Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Akers’ role is focused primarily on students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering<\/a>, she has, in the process, created a more welcoming, inclusive environment for all who work and learn in her department. Through the Women in Mechanical Engineering<\/a> student organization, she advocates for student needs. She’s active on the department’s Graduate Committee and Inclusion and Diversity Committee and is a partner in efforts to improve inclusive excellence in ME\u2014for example, she helped to increase participation in faculty meetings by identifying more equitable meeting times. She coordinates social activities that unite students, faculty and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n