HOUSTON – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District Civil Engineer Franchelle Craft was recognized with the Society of American Military Engineers’ Regional Vice President’s Medal yesterday during the Houston-Galveston Post’s Public Agency of the Year Banquet for her outstanding service to the society.
SAME's Regional Vice President’s Medal is presented to individuals who demonstrate consistent and outstanding service to SAME. The award is typically presented annually to only one individual in a SAME post as a way of recognizing their service and contributions to the society.
“I would like to thank the Houston/Galveston Post of the Society of American Military Engineers for this recognition for my work with the STEM program,” said Craft. “I am truly grateful for this award and I hope that I can continue to inspire youth to pursue the engineering/ technical fields.”
Craft earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Prairie View A&M University in 2006 and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Missouri Science and Technology University in 2012. As part of her volunteer efforts within the USACE Galveston District, Franchelle has spent the last seven years sharing her passion of math and science with students, helping and encouraging them to pursue STEM-related career fields, dedicating more than 500 hours to help close the performance gap in underrepresented students’ STEM educational achievements.
"The SAME Houston-Galveston Post is pleased to award Franchelle the SAME Regional Vice President’s Medal,” said 2013-2014 SAME Post President Ramon Herrera. “Through her hard work and dedication, Ms. Craft has excelled in supporting the society's mission of promoting K-12 and STEM programs. Her work with middle and high school students will no doubt have a positive impact on students who are considering careers in STEM fields of study and her work with the USACE Galveston District's STEM Program has raised the bar for the Houston-Galveston Post and continues to "Build the Bench" for the future."
According to Craft’s supervisor, Ralph Steiner, she oversees a variety of engineering projects, operation and maintenance construction contracts, that vary in size and scope up to several million dollars.
“Franchelle is a talented engineer and a capable leader who leverages her engineering and leadership experience to guide young students considering an engineering profession by serving as the STEM Awareness Program liaison for the Galveston District,” said Steiner.
A native of Houston, she is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society and has been a member of the SAME for four years. In addition to this recognition, Craft will be honored at the 28th BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, Feb. 6, 2014, in Washington, with a 2014 BEYA STEM Conference, Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award for her efforts in STEM.
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