AWIS Announces 2023 ‘Shooting Star’ Chapter Awards

March 14, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Shelley O’Brien
202-827-9798
obrien@awis.org

AWIS Announces 2023 ‘Shooting Star’ Chapter Awards

WASHINGTON DC, March 14, 2024 – The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) has designated ten ‘Shooting Star’ Chapters for their outstanding initiatives throughout 2023 which align with AWIS’ mission of advancing women in science. These chapters include Chicago, Houston, Massachusetts (Boston), New York Women in Natural Sciences, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Philadelphia, Sacramento Valley, Seattle, and Washington DC.

The winning chapters were selected by AWIS’ Chapter Advisory Committee based on the information provided in each chapter’s annual report. As a result of their impactful efforts, each of these chapters will receive a $350 grant to support community-focused activities that elevate the visibility of women in science.

Meredith Gibson, AWIS CEO, expressed her admiration, “AWIS is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers and chapter leaders working to support the AWIS mission and advance women in science. Thank you and congratulations to this year’s Shooting Star Award winners for their exceptional contributions.”

Below are the Shooting Star chapters and their initiatives recognized by these awards:

AWIS Chicago – Masters of Mentorship Award

  • The AWIS Chicago Mentoring Circle Program provides a fantastic opportunity for women in STEM during the summer months. From 2022 to 2023, the program doubled in size from 40 to 80 participants. Going beyond participation, the program rewards the dedication of mentees through prestigious awards and recognizes participants on a podcast series.

AWIS Metro DC – Dynamic Programming Award

  • AWIS Metro DC provides an array of programming including professional development, networking, and advocacy initiatives. The chapter’s innovative spirit extends beyond its borders through collaborative ventures, such as a book club in partnership with other AWIS chapters, active participation in science fairs, and a robust mentoring circles program dedicated to the growth and support of participants.

AWIS Houston – Community Catalyst Award

  • AWIS-Houston is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community and works to ensure every member feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. This chapter recently adopted a new mission and vision statement aiming to cultivate meaningful connections among members and foster a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie. Membership has more than doubled in the past year during which AWIS-Houston offered a diverse range of career development topics and recognized excellence through the Outstanding Women in Science (OWIS) award.

AWIS Massachusetts (Boston) – Inspiring Inclusion Award

  • AWIS Massachusetts (Boston) consistently organizes programs and initiatives that champion diversity, inclusiveness, and intersectionality. With an unwavering commitment to fostering an environment that embraces individuals from all walks of life, the chapter has implemented a series of events and initiatives designed to amplify underrepresented voices in STEM fields.

AWIS New York Women in Natural Sciences – Adamant Advocates Award

  • AWIS NYWINS advocates for positive transformations within workplaces to ensure more inclusive, equitable, and diverse spaces. Their efforts to drive change include participating in marches, hosting engaging action lunch hours, providing specialized advocacy training sessions, and engaging local officials, agency representatives, and members of congress.

AWIS North Carolina – Expanding Star Award

  • In just two years since its establishment, AWIS North Carolina has grown in diverse and impactful ways. The chapter has launched an innovative, monthly Virtual Mentoring Program which is free for students ranging from high school to graduate level. This initiative aims to foster interaction, learning, and empowerment by connecting students with accomplished women and men across various STEM fields.

AWIS Notre Dame – Student Led Award

  • As one of the few student-led AWIS Chapters, AWIS Notre Dame consistently organizes outstanding events for their community. Their remarkable efforts include hosting a thought-provoking Q&A session with none other than Nobel Prize Dr. Laureate Donna Strickland. Despite being a smaller group, AWIS Notre Dame stands tall as an exemplar of community impact, blending exceptional member programming with a strong focus on community outreach.

AWIS Philadelphia – Nova Star Award

  • AWIS Philadelphia has elevated their mentorship program through continuous improvement and pioneered a groundbreaking succession planning initiative, setting a gold standard in leadership transitions. This program significantly minimizes the learning curve for newly elected leaders and showcases the chapter’s foresight and commitment to sustained excellence.

AWIS Sacramento Valley – Innovative Membership Award

  • AWIS Sacramento Valley uses a strategic and dynamic model for member participation, ingeniously structured around a hub-and-spoke framework. This innovative approach ensures a seamless and interconnected network that efficiently engages members. Despite its compact size, the chapter exhibits an impressive capacity for event orchestration and consistently delivers a diverse array of engaging activities.

AWIS Seattle – Prosperous Partnerships Award

  • AWIS Seattle receives support from an array of diverse companies, all of which play a pivotal role in championing the chapter’s scholarship initiatives and events held throughout the year. The chapter’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence is exemplified by their scholarship program which recently bestowed $32,000 in financial support to seven deserving undergraduate students.

In addition, the following chapters achieved ‘Star Chapter’ status. The AWIS Star Chapter designation is awarded to those chapters with exemplary chapter programs that include outreach, networking, and member development programs.

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About AWIS: Founded in 1971, AWIS has been the leading advocate for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to achieve business growth, social change, and innovation. We are dedicated to driving excellence in STEM by achieving equity and full participation of women in all disciplines and across all employment sectors. In addition to scholarships, AWIS provides career resources, professional development, as well as networking, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities to build leadership skills. To learn more, visit awis.org and @AWISNational.