Penn State geoscientist awarded presidential honor

Penn State geoscientist awarded presidential honor

Washington, D.C. -- Tanya Furman, professor of geoscience at Penn State, received a 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

The award honors individuals and institutions that have enhanced the participation of underrepresented groups -- such as women, minorities and people with disabilities -- in science, mathematics and engineering education at all levels. The program is supported and administered by the National Science Foundation, and individual awards include a $10,000 grant for continued mentoring work.

Furman, who also is associate director of Penn State's Alliance for Earth Sciences, Engineering and Development in Africa, received the award for working to identify best practices for organizations wishing to develop mentoring programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She developed an innovative series of programs that promise a substantial effect on increasing underrepresented students considering STEM-based career opportunities and has built collaborative relationships at other academic institutions that now use her programs.

Her work helps to increase minority and female student participation in geosciences. Furman focuses on designing research opportunities that engage African-American students and encourage them to pursue graduate studies.