The Women of Color (WOC) STEM Awards are highly prestigious and competitive, recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to diversity within STEM fields. Securing even one of these awards signifies a substantial contribution to advancing diversity and excellence. Nominees must demonstrate exceptional role model potential, cultural capital, and a commitment to promoting technology through community service. They are also assessed on their effectiveness in attracting minorities, enhancing organizational policies for minority inclusion, and contributing to small business development.
Dr. Shaneka Lawson’s recent receipt of the Women of Color STEM Diversity Leadership Award, following her achievement of the Community Service Award last year, underscores her remarkable contributions. Competing on a national level with peers from diverse sectors, her recognition highlights her significant role in advancing diversity within the Forest Service. Notably, Dr. Lawson’s initiatives focus on underserved groups who are often excluded from critical information about climate change and forest research. Her outreach efforts encompass low-income summer camps, HBCU campuses, community groups, and local veterans’ posts. Furthermore, she teaches forestry lessons and disseminates information on research projects from across the station, ensuring a wide-ranging inclusion of perspectives. Her exceptional achievements were acknowledged through nominations by both her station director and a dean at Purdue University, reflecting the high regard in which she is held across these institutions.
Since joining the Forest Service in 2011, Dr. Lawson has epitomized the agency’s mission of “Caring for the Land, and Serving People,” dedicating more than 10,000 hours to volunteer service. Her accomplishments are a source of pride for both Purdue and the Forest Service, serving as an inspiration to students and professionals alike. Dr. Lawson’s dual recognition by the WOC STEM Awards—a rare and significant feat— further highlights her profound impact and esteemed role in the STEM community.