Congratulations to Ph.D. student Chloë Hawkings as she received the Women’s Progress Student Award during the ACE Awards Ceremony in the MSC on Wednesday, April 11.
Hawkings, who is currently advised by Dr. Cecilia Tamborindeguy, was honored for her hard work and dedication in demonstrating a commitment to improving the environment for women students through volunteer work, an elected position or advocacy programs on or off campus.
Since her college career, Hawkings has been instrumental in representing the Department in several ways. She has served as a leader and mentor to other graduate students in her role as a lead teaching assistant where she facilitated weekly planning meetings for all lab sections in the Department. She also has been a leader in redesigning the laboratory curriculum and developing a laboratory manual that is currently in use.
“Chloë tirelessly connects students interested in entomology and related STEM fields to individuals who can assist them in identifying and achieving their goals, then follows up and maintains her relationship with those students, mentoring them to continued success,” senior advisor Rebecca Hapes said. “Her diligent and intentional efforts with students in this manner are simply remarkable.”
In 2017, Hawkings founded the Aggie Women in Entomology, an organization created to enhance the professional community of women in entomology. She currently serves as President of the organization, has hosted two seminar speakers for the Departmental seminar series. Also she founded the mentorship in entomology program where undergraduates could attend panels and workshops helpful for transitioning to graduate school.
“Chloë leads in the creation of positive solutions for an improved environment for women and a commitment to women’s issues,” said EGSO president Phillip Shults.
Hawkings is an active member of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), where she has served as an entomology workshop leader for the ‘Expand your Horizons’ event, a career conference for 6th grade girls designed to inform and engage them in STEM through innovative and experiential experiences. She also represents WISE as a graduate student mentor, meeting with undergraduate students formally on a weekly basis and interacts with her mentees frequently as they need her.
Hawkings also established herself as a strong entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is involved with the entrepreneurship community within Texas A&M University through Startup Aggieland, and is a student representative of the female founders group. In 2017, she received the Dell Computers Scholarship for women from Mays Business School to attend the Circular Summit Women in Entrepreneurship Annual Meeting in Houston. Hawkings also was selected by Startup Aggieland to present her entrepreneurial success at conferences in both New York City and Florida.
Tamborindeguy was very proud of Hawkings for receiving the honor.
“Chloë has performed outstanding service for the Department of Entomology, the University and for the entomological and scientific community,” Tamborindeguy said. “This award highlights Chloë’s stellar contribution and leadership role for advancing women in science.”