May 2, 2018
Anita Cortez is the 2017-2018 KAWSE Award recipient
Anita Cortez, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry, is the 2017-2018 recipient of the KAWSE Award.
The KAWSE Award honors exceptional efforts undertaken by a K-State faculty or staff member to enrich girls' and women's lives in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, disciplines. Cortez will be recognized with an engraved plaque at the Women of Distinction Recognition Ceremony on Sept. 13 and will receive a $500 award.
Cortez has developed new, innovative programs that benefit underrepresented students. For example, 17 years ago, she founded the Developing Scholars Program that helps undergraduate students work on research projects with guidance from K-State faculty in their area. In recent years, that means she has served as a mentor to 50 students per year providing guidance not just on research projects, but also issues ranging from work/life balance to institutionalized discrimination.