ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to recognize Ms. Aida Awad, Adjunct Professor at American Intercontinental University, as the 2021 recipient of the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI, which is given in recognition of exceptional and beneficial long-term service to the Institute.

 
Ms. Awad was a leader at the National Science Foundation-supported 2015 AGI Summit on the Implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards in Earth and Space Science and is a key part of the ongoing collaboration and monthly webinar series among AGI, the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), and the National Earth Science Teachers Association. She also served on the team that created AGI's Geoscience Women in STEM website, helped lead the AGI/ExxonMobil K-8 Earth Science and STEM Teacher Leadership Academy over the past three years, has helped guide Earth Science Week, and has been instrumental in the development of AGI's vital responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a set of workshops designed to help educators keep learners engaged in environmental and Earth science through virtual experiences.

Ms. Awad is an educational consultant who has been an Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, a regular contributor to the U.S. Dept. of Energy National Science Bowl, a Google Certified Trainer, a professional development provider, a high school administrator, longtime science teacher, and a geologist. She is a Past President and past Secretary/Treasurer of NAGT.
 
"Ms. Awad's efforts on behalf of and in partnership with AGI have been a great benefit to geoscience education," said AGI Executive Director Jonathan Arthur. "By helping to advance AGI's mission of service to the geoscience community, she represents a stellar choice for this year's Heroy awardee."

"Our Earth is filled with so many natural wonders, and many of us in the geoscience education community engage with AGI education initiatives as a way of sharing our passion for teaching and learning about those wonders," said Ms. Awad on receiving the award. "I'm humbled and honored that my efforts in support of this important work are being recognized through this award. I look forward to continuing to work to live up to the legacy of this honor."

Ms. Awad received her bachelor's degree in Geological Science from the University of Illinois Chicago and her master's degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois Chicago. She recently was named a Geological Society of America Fellow.
 
The Heroy Award is named after William B. Heroy Jr.'s exemplary service to AGI. Heroy's professional accomplishments were exceeded only by his love of geology and his commendable modesty in the face of such achievements.

About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional associations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Contact:
Geoff Camphire, Communications
gac@americangeosciences.org