Every year, the AEOP Alumni Association has the honor of celebrating some of the inspirational teachers, students and mentors who have participated in AEOP programs. With an outpouring of nominations, the 2018 class of award winners proved to be exceptional participants in a pool of dedicated STEM educators and learners.

One of these exceptional participants is Zoe Penko. Zoe is the winner of the Community Service Award for her commitment to supporting those around her as a student and a mentor. During her freshman year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Zoe volunteered 10 hours per week for 1.5 semester in an after-school mentorship program that aimed to inspire middle school students in primarily engineering-focused topics. She is also an active member of the Society of Woman Engineers and helped sponsor their spring event, “Kids in Engineering Day” which offers hands-on science activities for local children interested in STEM. She is an enthusiastic mentor who has encouraged and developed future STEM leaders while pursuing her own academic and professional success, which includes an internship at Honda and residing as the President for the UAB chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Zoe is one of six inspiring winners this year, and we encourage you to learn more her and the rest of the 2018 Alumni Association award winners here.