SME’s Distinguished Faculty Advisor Award was established in 2011 to recognize select SME student chapter faculty advisors for their continued oversight and engagement efforts in advocating for students and the manufacturing industry. SME student chapter faculty advisors utilize their expertise to integrate real-world manufacturing experiences into their classrooms, offer on-site research lab experience, sponsor attendance at industry conferences and co-author scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals and professional conferences.

Purpose

• Provide professional development support in the form of a monetary award for current student chapter faculty advisors. Award to be used for professional development or to support the student chapter activities.  
• Acknowledge and reward those who demonstrate commitment to advancing SME's vision/mission/purpose.
• Highlight services and activities performed on behalf of SME.
• Recognize advancing professional growth of student chapter members.

Award Components

Monetary award valued up to $2,000 and a recognition certificate.

Eligibility for Award

• The applicant must be a current SME member.
• The applicant must be a current SME student chapter faculty advisor.
• The applicant must be an employee of the educational institution sponsoring the SME student chapter.
• Applicant's student chapter must be compliant with SME chapter requirements, i.e., submitted all the required forms and have a minimum of 10 active student members.
• Eligible for one award per calendar year.

Application Process

• Complete the application form (PDF).
• Include a personal statement outlining your professional goals, contribution to the profession and SME student chapter.
• Include curriculum vitae. Use only the last three years (not to exceed three 8.5x11 in. pages — include all items relevant to SME activities.
• Applicant agrees to submit a final report within the next academic year explaining how the award helped his/her professional development and/or the growth of the student chapter. 

Application Deadline

All application materials will be due in May 2024 – please check back for the exact due date.

Please direct applications and any questions to:

SME Membership
1000 Town Center, Suite 1910 | Southfield, MI 48075
Membership: 800.733.4763 | 313.425.3000 | membership@sme.org

Recent Award Winners

SME Spotlights Four Distinguished Faculty Professors

Four professors from Oregon State University, North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University, and Purdue University were selected in recognition of their service to SME and their student chapters.

2023 SME Distinguished Faculty Advisors Previous Award Winners