SWE Outstanding Collegiate Awardee - Aerith Cruz
Aerith Cruz '24, management information systems, received the Outstanding Collegiate Member Award at WE23, the Society of Women Engineers' (SWE) annual conference in Los Angeles, CA.
The SWE Outstanding Collegiate Award is “presented to SWE collegiate members with SWE collegiate involvement who have made an outstanding contribution to SWE, other engineering organizations (including but not limited to SWE’s partner organizations), their community and campus.” Globally, only 10 collegiate members received this award out of an estimated 40,000 collegiate and professional members. Cruz was nominated by Gretchen Hein, SWE co-advisor at Michigan Tech, for her involvement in MTU's SWE section, across campus and within the local and regional community. She was noted "for academic achievement balanced by technical and leadership skill; for dedicated promotion of diversity and inclusion initiatives; and for inspiring others as both mentor and role model.”
Cruz is the second Michigan Tech student to receive this prestigious award since our section was founded in 1976. The first was Dr. Kaitlyn Bunker '10 '12 '14, BS, MS, PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering, who also received the award in Los Angeles. She had this to say about Cruz: “As a past recipient of the SWE Outstanding Collegiate Member award, I am excited to congratulate Aerith Cruz on receiving this prestigious award! My time participating in SWE at Michigan Tech helped me build a network of mentors and connections in engineering, and to practice leadership skills that I now use in my work and as a member of the SWE Board of Directors. It has been wonderful to see the Michigan Tech SWE section continue to thrive over the years, and kudos to Aerith for her recent leadership and achievements being recognized with this award.”
When writing the nomination letter, Hein recalled the similarities between Bunker and Cruz. Both students contributed greatly to their respective departments and were highly successful students. Both women were section presidents and worked on the Evening with Industry fundraiser. Hein recalled, “Aerith is someone I can count on - whether it is mentoring SWENext students or stepping up whenever volunteers are needed for the section. Over the years, Aerith has gone from being a SWE section leader to being my friend. I am so excited that she received this award and am even more excited to see where she goes after completing her degree.”
Hein noted that Cruz worked hard to obtain a SWE Program Development Grant as a first-year student to develop and deliver outreach activities in our region (Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota). During the pandemic, she pivoted these activities from in-person to virtual, and the section reached over 600 youth, primarily girls. As our SWE Section President 2022-23, Cruz was instrumental in starting the SWE Endowed Scholarship using section funds. She worked to obtain grants from corporate sponsors that resulted in 12 members attending and participating in SWE WE22. She supported the Campus and Community Committee as they developed and held Engineering Day! at three local K-5 schools, and this program continues to grow.
“Aerith goes above and beyond expectations, always striving to make processes more efficient or impactful, which she applies in her personal life, but also as a leader in the SWE section,” said Jaclyn Johnson, current SWE co-advisor. Johnson has worked with Aerith only over a few months but has seen these exceptional qualities shine through. Aerith has taken on a temporary treasurer role, overhauled the budget and streamlined processes. Not only is Cruz a true leader in these regards, she is extremely passionate and inspiring for all those she meets serving as a great role model.
Cruz’s parents have always supported her throughout her time at Michigan Tech. Joana Cruz said of her daughter, “We are very proud of your tenacity in championing change through the SWE programs! Thank you MTU for sponsoring her community goals!"
Within our local community, Cruz has made a lasting impact on youth by introducing them to STEM projects and working with them in FIRST Robotics. “As a woman pursuing a career in STEM, it has been an isolating experience," said Jenna Beaudoin, senior at Lake Linden-Hubbell High School, SWENext President and FIRST Robotics #5486 Captain. "Aerith has served as a rare-to-find mentor and has inspired me to continue in a STEM field (computer science) after high school.”
The SWE Section is proud of Aerith Cruz’s accomplishments and recognition as a SWE Outstanding Collegiate member. This is best summarized by Amanda West, SWE Section President: "I've had the privilege of collaborating with and getting to know Aerith over the past three years. She is a compassionate individual who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to advancing our section and nurturing SWE's presence within the Michigan Tech community. Aerith has excelled as a leader, an advocate, and a valued friend. We take great pride in her remarkable achievements and extend our heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering dedication to our section."