UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Engineer. Examiner. Educator. Entrepreneur. Jessica Menold, a Penn State College of Engineering faculty member and alumna, fills these roles with her research and teaching portfolio, as well as industry know-how as a startup co-founder.
For underrepresented engineering students, Menold embodies the role of enthusiast, encourager and empathizer — championing for them and with them as an inclusion and engagement activist and mentor.
Menold, the Hartz Family Career Development Assistant Professor of Engineering Design and Mechanical Engineering, was recently recognized for her student recruitment and retention efforts with the President’s Award for Engagement with Students. Presented to faculty members who go above and beyond their responsibilities to engage and encourage students, the University bestows the President’s Award for Engagement upon just…