Dr. Karen Butler-Purry has been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) in recognition of her exceptional contributions to mentoring and her role in shaping the future of the U.S. STEM workforce.
Butler-Purry has been widely praised for enhancing graduate students' quality of life, educational experiences, and professional development opportunities. She has built a successful research program and mentored or led the mentorship of hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students, providing them with guidance to further their academic and professional careers.
"We are incredibly proud of Dr. Karen Butler-Purry," said Dr. Robert Bishop, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Engineering. "Her recognition is a testament to her impact on students' lives and her notable contributions to the STEM community. We are grateful for all she has done to strengthen the foundation of our nation’s STEM workforce and increase accessibility to engineering education."
Established by Congress in 1995, the PAESMEM award recognizes individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to mentoring, particularly those who have expanded STEM opportunities for individuals who may not have otherwise considered or had access to such fields.
“It is an honor to be recognized nationally for my career-long efforts to pay it forward. My goal has been to create a thriving community for mentees where they feel a sense of belonging and can engage in professional and academic development to shape their identities as engineers and scientists,” said Butler-Purry.
A professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, Dr. Butler-Purry also served as associate provost for Graduate and Professional Students and dean of the Graduate and Professional School. Her research spans topics such as the protection and control of electric power distribution systems, smart grids, microgrids, cybersecurity, intelligent systems for monitoring power system equipment deterioration, and engineering education.
“Dr. Karen Butler-Purry has long been known by our faculty and students as a scholar and mentor who devoted much of her time and career to supporting and promoting theirs,” said Dr. Costas Georghiades, interim department head of electrical and computer engineering. “It is fitting that she has now been recognized for her efforts at the highest levels nationally. Our department is fortunate and proud to have Karen as one of our faculty.”
Dr. Butler-Purry's accolades include the 2005 Mentor Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, election as an IEEE Fellow in 2018, and the 2021 Debra Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education from the Council of Graduate Schools.
The National Science Foundation administers the PAESMEM program on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Each Presidential awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award from NSF. Awardees are honored at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C.