UC Engineer Receives Prestigious Presidential Recognition

“This honor represents not merely a personal milestone but also highlights the extraordinary efforts being made by numerous individuals in the profession, particularly in making engineering more inclusive for historically underrepresented communities,” Mejia stated.

Mejia has been appointed as the new chair of the Department of Engineering and Computing Education within the College of Engineering and Applied Science. His research focuses on Latino/a/x/é engineers, engineering culture and dialogue, fostering critical awareness among engineers, and engineering aimed at social equity. His contributions have profoundly enhanced the field’s comprehension of bilingualism and increasing participation in engineering environments.

“It is an honor to engage in research that elevates the perspectives of Latino/a/x students and to assist in crafting a future where all students receive the support and opportunities essential for their success,” he expressed.

He joins UC from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he held the position of associate professor in both the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, as well as in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies. Additionally, he has experience as a project engineer for various organizations, including the Department of Defense.

The PECASE Award serves to honor innovative advancements in STEM while also increasing awareness of career possibilities in these sectors, fostering links between research and its societal implications, and highlighting the significance of science for the future of our country. Award recipients are funded or employed by over a dozen participating organizations. Mejia is supported by the National Science Foundation.

In addition to this accolade, Mejia received The Collaborative Network for Engineering and Diversity’s Rising Star Award in 2024 for his efforts, a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award in 2022, and the National/William Elgin Wickenden Award in both 2022 and 2017 for achieving the “highest standards of scholarly research” in the Journal of Engineering Education from the American Society for Engineering Education.