The Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) has awarded Paige Smith, director of the Clark School's Women in Engineering (WIE) program, its Distinguished Service Award.

WEPAN is the nation's leading organization and catalyst for transforming culture in engineering education to promote the success of all women.

"Through her dedicated leadership Dr. Smith has advanced WEPAN’s vision to ensure that engineering education is fully accessible to and attracts, develops and promotes the talent and success of all women," according to WEPAN's announcement of the award.

Over the past eight years, Smith has volunteered extensively for WEPAN, leading committees and projects, co-chairing conferences and representing the organization to give testimony before Congress.

Smith has served as the director of the Clark School's Women in Engineering Program since September 2001. She has more than 15 years of experience with recruiting and retaining diverse populations in engineering.

In addition to her role as WIE director, Smith is the advisor to the Clark School's section of the Society of Women Engineers. She currently serves on the executive boards of the Women in Engineering Division of the American Society for Engineering Education, the Industrial Advisory Council for Virginia Tech’s Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity and the Girls Exploring Engineering Board for the Chantilly Academy.