ASME MEDHEC Mechanical Engineering Transformative Engagement, Outreach, and Retention (METEOR) Award

The Mechanical Engineering Department Heads Executive Committee (MEDHEC) of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers is soliciting nominations for its Mechanical
Engineering Transformative Engagement, Outreach, and Retention (METEOR) Award.
This award recognizes Mechanical Engineering Departments and Schools that are
performing impactful and innovative activities aimed at outreach, engagement, and/or
retention. The winning programs will be provided with an opportunity to present their
activities to help inspire others and share best practices with the broader ME community.

Criteria
METEOR awards will be given to departments/schools in two categories: Ph.D. and non-
Ph.D. granting institutions. We anticipate up to one award in each category. Award
recipients will have developed activities or programs within the last five years that
demonstrate impact in at least one of the areas below, with more than one area preferred.

• External-facing activities/programs, e.g.:

  • Workforce development

  • Community engagement

  • Student or faculty pipeline building

• Internal-facing activities/programs, e.g.:

  • Student engagement

  • Mentorship of faculty, staff, or students

  • Global awareness

  • Student support

  • Culture of belonging

  • Supportive learning environments

Eligibility
Any ABET accredited academic department that grants degrees in Mechanical Engineering
is eligible for this award. Departments that have won the METEOR Award or the previous
ASME MEDHEC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award are not eligible for five years after
winning the award.

Nomination Process
Nominations of a department or school will consist of a nomination letter along with 3
letters of reference, each no more than 2 pages in length. The letters should provide
sufficient detail to describe which area(s) were addressed, how success was achieved, and
the impact or outcome of the activities. The nomination letter may also include one
additional page that provides qualitative or quantitative information to support the
nomination letter. This may be in the form of photos, graphs, or other information that the
nominator deems appropriate. Self-nomination is acceptable.

Nomination Form

All nomination materials and supporting letters should be submitted as one .pdf file to this
link no later than November 15, to Cheryl Hasan, Manager, Engineering Education &
Outreach at engineeringeducation@asme.org.