For Immediate Release
November, 15, 2011

Cañada College Engineering Professor Honored by the White House

Amelito Enriquez was one of nine recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

The mentors received their awards at a White House ceremony on Monday, December 12. Cañada College Professor Amelito Enriquez is pictured in the center, standing across from the President. The photograph was provided by the White House.

Cañada College Professor of Engineering and Mathematics, Amelito Enriquez, was one of nine individuals and eight organizations to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. They were honored by President Obama on Monday, Dec. 12. Enriquez was the only community college professor to receive the award.

To recognize the achievement, Cañada College will be hosting a reception for Enriquez on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. It will be held in the reception area of Building 8 on campus, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City. Three former students will return to Cañada to describe how Enriquez shaped their lives through his mentoring. In addition, Anthony Lin, a senior field representative for Congresswoman Anna Eshoo will present Cañada College Interim President Jim Keller with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol to recognize the contributions of the college to the community. U.S. Rep. Eshoo is a graduate of Cañada College. Brian Perkins, a representative for Congresswoman Jackie Speier, will also present Enriquez with a Congressional Resolution.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering, awarded by the White House to individuals and organizations, recognizes the crucial role that mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of students studying science and engineering – particularly those who belong to groups that are underrepresented in these fields. By offering their expertise and encouragement, mentors help prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers while ensuring that tomorrow’s innovators reflect and benefit from the diverse talent of the United States.

Colleagues, administrators and students in their home institutions nominate candidates for the award. The mentoring can involve students at any grade level from elementary through graduate school. In addition to being honored at the White House, recipients receive awards of $25,000 from NSF to advance their mentoring efforts. Enriquez was nominated by Janet Stringer, Dean of Science & Technology at Cañada College.

"Through their commitment to education and innovation, these individuals and organizations are playing a crucial role in the development of our 21st century workforce," President Obama said when he first announced the awardees. "Our nation owes them a debt of gratitude for helping ensure that America remains the global leader in science and engineering for years to come."

Enriquez has attracted more than $10 million in state and federal grants to the Redwood City community college over the past three years. He has developed a series of programs designed to help underrepresented students achieve success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. Enriquez has established an intensive summer math program aimed at helping students improve their math test scores; he’s established a Summer Engineering Institute for underrepresented students; he’s partnered with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish an internship program for students; and he’s partnered with San Mateo County to help veterans transition from the military into engineering careers.

"Amelito Enriquez is one of the finest examples of excellence in teaching this country has to offer," said Keller. "His passion and commitment to the advancement of student success is consistently demonstrated by the achievement of students he serves. He elevates not only the performance of the students but of the colleagues who have the pleasure and fortune to work with him. Cañada College has been able to contribute to the nation's need for graduates with degrees in math and science due to his efforts in seeking grant support when local resources are declining."

The individuals and organizations receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring are:

2010

•         Solomon Bililign, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, NC

•         Peggy Cebe, Tufts University, MA

•         Roy Clarke, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI

•         Amelito Enriquez, Cañada College, CA

•         Karen Panetta, Tufts University, MA

•         ACE Mentor Program of America, CT

•         Ocean Discovery Institute, CA

•         Women's Health Science Program for High School Girls and Beyond, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, IL

2011

•         Winston Anderson, Howard University, DC

•         Juan E. Gilbert, Clemson University, SC

•         Shaik Jeelani, Tuskegee University, AL

•         Andrew Tsin, University of Texas at San Antonio, TX

•         Camp Reach, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA

•         Diversity Programs in Engineering, Cornell University, NY

•         The Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute, Arizona State University, AZ

•         The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program, Stanford University, CA

•          University of California San Francisco Science & Health Education Partnership High School Intern Program, CA

For more information, contact Robert Hood, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at hoodr@smccd.edu or 306-3340