Minerva Cordero, professor of mathematics, was one of only 12 to be honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2022.
The national award recognizes the critical roles mentors play outside the traditional classroom in the academic and professional development of the future science and engineering workforce. For Dr. Cordero, the award honors the mentors and students in her own life.
“This award would not be possible without the mentors who generously gave their time to my professional development, guiding me on the path to many successes,” Cordero said. “I am privileged to pay their investment forward and mentor many bright, talented students at UTA and within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington communities.”
Cordero has led national and local programs that increase access to science and mathematics curricula. From 2018-19, Cordero served as director for two programs at the National Science Foundation: one to support organizational change to achieve gender equity in STEM and the other to help improve undergraduate STEM education within Hispanic-Serving Institutions such as UTA. Throughout her tenure in the Department of Mathematics, she has spearheaded the development of inclusive mathematics organizations.
“Dr. Cordero is an outstanding teacher and scholar whose contributions to the next generation of STEM professionals are significant,” says Jianzhong Su, professor and chair of mathematics. “This award is an immense honor and a testament to the quality of faculty in the Department of Mathematics and at the University.”
