Crumpton-Young, a professor of Industrial Engineering & Management Systems, will receive her award during a fall ceremony at the White House. She also will receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation to help further her mentoring efforts. She is the only award recipient currently employed at a Florida university.
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, is awarded annually to individuals or organizations and recognizes the crucial role that mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of minority students studying science or engineering.
“There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation’s young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders,” President Barack Obama said. “These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all.”
Crumpton-Young mentors many students in her research laboratory, and she advises students in her leadership roles with the Society for Women Engineers and National Society of Black Engineers. She has mentored more than 280 undergraduates and graduate students and 35 faculty members throughout the country during her career. She also participates in outreach efforts that introduce engineering to minority students in K-12 schools.
“I love mentoring students and faculty to help them achieve their dreams, goals and aspirations,” Crumpton-Young said.
Crumpton-Young, who has taught at UCF since 2002, is a former chair of UCF’s Department of Industrial Engineering & Management Systems in the College of Engineering & Computer Science. She is the first African-American woman to graduate with a Ph.D. from the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University, where she also received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Industrial Engineering.