Dr. Jacquelyn Nagel Awarded Distinguished New Engineer Award

Dr. Jacquelyn Nagel, an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering at James Madison University (JMU), received the Distinguished New Engineer Award from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). According to the society’s website, the award “honors women who have demonstrated outstanding technical performance, as well as leadership in professional organizations and community in the first 10 years of their career.”

Nagel was nominated for the award by Beth Mellott, a fellow SWE leader. The award recognizes Nagel’s teaching experience in engineering design and engineering science, as well as her innovation concerning teaching methods in engineering courses. In addition, her expertise in biology-inspired design, frequent publications, and leadership in SWE, including serving as the president of the collegiate section at the University of Missouri-Rolla during her undergraduate studies, contributed to her nomination.

“This award means a great deal to me,” said Nagel. After joining SWE in 2001, she attended her first society conference in 2002 in Detroit, Michigan. “At the banquet I was impressed and inspired by the women that were receiving awards that night.  I remembered thinking: ‘Wow, I wish that could be me some day.’”

Nagel will be recognized during the Award Banquet at the WE16 Conference on Friday, October 28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She plans to continue in her role as the faculty advisor for the JMU SWE collegiate section and to carry on her involvement with the larger professional society. “I hope that by being recognized for my accomplishments that I am inspiring my students to be their best,” Nagel said, “and to reach farther than they think is possible.”