White House Presents UC Davis CHE Graduate Alumna with Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), with the National Science Foundation (NSF), has named UC Davis alumna Graca Vincente as a recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).

Vincente received her Ph.D. from UC Davis in 1990.

In 2007, Vicente became the Louisiana State University program director for the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development, or IMSD, which has provided research training, academic development, mentoring opportunities and career development to students from groups underrepresented in the STEM disciplines. Since then, 82 undergraduate and graduate students have participated in the program. IMSD students develop their academic and technical skills in the research laboratories of LSU faculty mentors, and are involved in collaborative learning and mentoring. Vicente works with program staff to develop training activities, educational mentoring plans and the creation of opportunities for the students to enhance their skills, network and interact with each other and faculty. Her program also includes seminars, workshops, outreach and site visits that meet the needs and interests of each student.

UC Davis Chancellor Gary May was a recipient of this same award.