SWE-CI Awards

How can I apply for a Section Award?
Download the 2023 Individual Awards Packet here.
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2022 SWE-CI Section Awards
Thanks to our recipients for their energy and passion they dedicate to the Central Illinois Section and the field of engineering and congratulations on being awarded the following section awards.

The Distinguished Member Award honors women who have been actively engaged in the Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers. The nominee must demonstrate outstanding support and participation in the furthering of technical understanding or interest in young women. The nominee must be a SWE member or senior member in good standing and active in local activities of SWE. Participation in other professional and/or technical societies and community organizations is highly desirable as well-rounded individuals are sought for the award.

• Laura Ruiz-Santamaria has been selected as the 2022 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Distinguished Member Award Recipient.  

The Outstanding Engineer Award is awarded to a qualified woman who has made significant contributions in the field of engineering and/or technical management. Requirements include a minimum of an engineering degree or a degree in a technical field as well as work experience as an engineer.

• Jennifer Brooks has been selected as the 2022 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Outstanding Engineer Award Recipient. 

The Outstanding Advocate Award recognizes individuals who advocate for the inclusion and success of women, both present and prospective, in engineering and technology.  The nominee must have demonstrated outstanding advocacy for women and girls in engineering and technology.  These activities could include but not limited to: pre-college outreach, recognition of women engineers through awards or high-visibility communications, education or career counseling activities, advocating for corporate policies friendly to women engineers, and advocating in local, state or federal government for laws friendly to women engineers.

• Aisling Hinderliter has been selected as the 2022 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Advocacy Award Recipient. 

The pillar of support may be anyone within or outside of SWE but have expanded the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life and demonstrate the value of diversity. We are thankful for our pillars of support throughout the years that helped us reach our 30th anniversary milestone.

• Beth Hinchee has been selected as the 2022 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Pillar of Support Award Recipient. ​​

SWE-CI Distinguished Member Awards
2021 – Heather Ulrich
​2020 – Ursula Towne
2019 – Karen Raab
2018 – Christiana Aguirre
2017 – Megha Garg
2016 – Ranjani Rao
2015 – Paroma Banerjee
2014 – Sowmya Nagesh
2013 – Carol Weber
2012 – Jada Hoerr
2011 – Britta Jost
2010 – April Privett
2009 – Stacey DelVecchio
2008 – Shevaun Fennell
2007 – Beth Mack
2006 – Brittney (Lindstrom) Palmer
2005 – Amy Benecke McLaren
2004 – Jamie (Frisch) Stringfield
2003 – Alka Upadhyay
2002 – Elizabeth Sloan-Vicary

SWE-CI Pillar of Support
2021 – Holly Teig
​2020 – Gary Uken
2019 – Brooke Plavec

SWE-CI Outstanding Engineer Awards 
​2021 – Christy Lee
​2020 – Yanchai Zhang
2019 – Susan Toher
2018 – Valerie West
2017 – Sarita Kuppilli
2016 – Amy Moore-McKee
2015 – Mary George
2014 – Anita Yadav
2013 – Jane Gerdes
2012 – Cindy Loos
2011 – Lou Balmer Millar
2010 – Rosalee Martinez-Weber
2009 – Amy Benecke McLaren
2008 – Arun Karumanchi
2007 – Karen Jensen
2006 – Liz Miles
2005 – Mary Wickham
2004 – Sylvia Delgado
2003 – Stacey DelVecchio
2002 – Lynette Lipski

SWE-CI Outstanding Advocate Awards
​2021 – Kade Diallo
2020 – Melanie Willi
2019 – Lisa Burt
2018 – Gina Riley
2017 – Amanda Martin

External SWE-CI Awards

• 2013 – Women's History Month Award from the National Organization for Women (NOW) Peoria chapter

SWE-CI Society Level Awards

• FY22 - Gold Award
• FY22 - Best Practice Mentoring
• FY21 - Gold Award
• FY21 - Best Practice Communication
• FY21 - Best Practice Awards and Recognition
• FY18 - Gold Award
• FY18 - Global - IGSTEM and 4G STEM camp partnership with WIN
• FY18 - Professional- Interactive Workshop with Dr Robyn McKay
• FY18 - Public Policy - Engineering Week at the Riverfront Museum
• FY16 - Outreach for Large Professional Section
• FY16 - Professional Development Event for Large Professional Section
• FY15 - Professional Development Event - Becoming a Person of Influence
• FY15 - Communications Award, 2nd place
• FY11 – Membership Transition
• FY11 – Strategic Communications PR Program
• FY10 – Membership Retention
• FY09 – Professional Development Event - Tour of State Farms Crash Investigation Lab
• FY08 – Public Relations Program Award
• FY08 – Membership Recruiting Program Award
• FY08 – Professional Development Program - Region H Conference Panel Award
• FY08 – Professional Development Series - 'Finding Your Fit' Award

SWE-CI WE Local Awards​​

• FY23 – Joint Professional/Collegiate Event Award - Along with SWE University of Illinois
• FY23 – Outstanding Professional Development Event
• FY23 – Membership Retention Award
• FY22 – Joint Professional/Collegiate Event Award - Along with SWE University of Illinois
• FY22 – Outstanding Professional Development Event
• FY22 – Sustaining Benefactor Award - Caterpillar Inc. from SWE - Central Illinois
• FY22 – Pieronek Memorial Public Policy Grant Award - Stacey M. DelVecchio, F.SWE
• FY21 – Membership Retention Award
• FY20 – WE Local Integrator - Heather Ulrich

SWE-CI Region H Awards

• FY16 – Outreach
• FY16 – Professional Development Event
• FY12 – Membership Retention for Large Professional Section
• FY12 – Highest Net Increase for Large Professional Section
• FY12 – Highest Growth for Large Professional Section
• FY11 – Membership Retention
• FY10 – Professional Development Program Award - 'Building Sustainable Skills' series
• FY10 – Membership Retention
• FY09 – Honorable Mention - Membership Growth, Large Section
• FY09 – Honorable Mention - Continuous Improvement Work Life Balance Committee
• FY09 – Honorable Mention - Innovation SWE Communities Use
• FY08 – Innovation Award - City of Peoria Proclamation of E-Week
• FY08 – Membership Award - Membership Retention, Medium Section
• FY08 – Honorable Mention - Membership Growth, Medium Section
• FY08 – Continuous Improvement Award
• FY07 – Membership Award - Outstanding membership retention
• FY07 – Membership Award - Outstanding membership growth
• FY07 – Membership Award - Outstanding membership net increase
• FY07 – Innovation Award - Article Club Program
• FY07 – Professional Development (Honorable Mention) - 'Ready, Set, Go' Professional Development Series