Before he became department head of the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, Dr. Guillermo Aguilar was already known as a mentor, someone others naturally turned to for guidance, encouragement, and support.
Now, that lifelong dedication has earned national recognition.
Aguilar has been named the 2025 recipient of the ASME McDonald Mentoring Award, one of the highest honors given by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The award recognizes engineers who have profoundly influenced the careers of others through exceptional mentorship.
Aguilar described the award as both personally humbling and professionally affirming.
“From an early stage in my career, I found myself stepping into leadership roles to mentor students and colleagues,” he said. “Receiving this recognition is deeply humbling — it affirms that the time and effort I’ve devoted to mentoring is valued by my peers. It’s a meaningful acknowledgment that mentorship is an integral part of my work as an educator and leader.”
Aguilar’s mentoring philosophy centers on listening attentively, observing carefully, and understanding the motivations and strengths of everyone he supports. He strives to tailor his approach to each mentee’s goals, working with them to identify growth areas while also helping them succeed on their own terms.
“As I build relationships with students and colleagues, I strive to understand what drives them and where their strengths lie,” he said. “This allows me to tailor my guidance to help them succeed in ways that align with their passions and talents.”
Aguilar’s own path has been shaped by influential mentors, including his parents, both educators, and postdoctoral advisors Drs. Enrique Lavernia and J. Stuart Nelson. Their influence helped shape his mentoring style, which blends encouragement with constructive guidance.
Everyone has unique needs, and while not all students need the same kind of support all the time, most need some guidance at key moments. Letting them know you’re there for them can make all the difference. And the greatest reward should be seeing them thrive — not the indirect benefits their success may bring to you.
As department head, Aguilar has strengthened the department’s culture of mentorship by building on the strong foundation already in place. He continues to support and expand the department’s faculty mentoring program, with a focus on early-career faculty navigating the challenges of teaching, research, and academic leadership.
“I was fortunate to join a department that had already embraced mentorship,” he said. “There was a well-established faculty mentoring program in place, and I’ve worked to support and strengthen it. Today, it continues to serve especially our early-career faculty, helping them grow into successful and confident educators and researchers.”
For Aguilar, impactful mentorship isn’t limited to technical instruction. It can also involve career advice, emotional support, and simply being present at pivotal moments.
“The key is recognizing that mentorship isn’t one-size-fits-all,” he said. “Its form and focus shift depending on the circumstances and the individual. A good mentor is flexible and attentive, ready to offer the support that best fits the situation.”
Aguilar offers a simple but powerful message to those seeking to become better mentors: meet people where they are and care deeply about their success.
“Everyone has unique needs, and while not all students need the same kind of support all the time, most need some guidance at key moments,” he said. “Letting them know you’re there for them can make all the difference. And the greatest reward should be seeing them thrive — not the indirect benefits their success may bring to you.”
Aguilar’s impact extends far beyond his research and teaching. Through his mentorship, he continues to shape a supportive, compassionate, and empowered future for mechanical engineering.