Statler College release names of 2026 Thriving Engineers Program awards

This years Thriving Engineers Program winners are Santiago, Anane, Hulcher, and Keepers

The Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, announced the recipients of the College’s 2026 Thriving Engineers Program awards.

Story by Crystal Hanes
Photos by WVU Submitted

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

The program, now in its second year, provides up to $2,000 in support for initiatives designed to strengthen the engagement of the community and belonging across the Statler College and the broader WVU community over a one- to two-year period.

Proposals for this year focused on student engagement and community integration, well-being and sense of belonging for students, faculty and staff, and strategies and programming that promote engagement and collaboration across several units in the Statler College, within the WVU community and beyond.

This year’s recipients include Fundamentals of Engineering Teaching Professor and Director, Lizzie Santiago , and Teaching Assistant Professors Akua Oppong-Anane and Carter Hulcher . They have created a platform for student individual mentorship and support that aims to bridge the existing gap between first-year engineering students and their upper-level peers.

“The Statler College of Engineering and the Fundamentals of Engineering Program are committed to supporting students from day one,” Santiago said. “This grant helps us nurture and promote student success from the very beginning.”

The second award recipient is teaching assistant professor Makenzie Keepers of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering for her “Cook and Serve” initiative aimed at connecting industrial engineering students with first-year engineering students in a fun and low-pressure environment to build meaningful relationships and connections.

By combining a shared experience in cooking with a community service project involving the participation of the Rosenbaum Family House Meal program, students get to see how teamwork and engineering skills can be applied and integrated in making a societal difference that gives back to the community of Morgantown.

“This program brings engineering to life in a truly meaningful way,” said Keepers. “Students aren’t just going to be learning concepts, but they’re going to be using them to collaborate, solve problems, and serve others. I envision participants building confidence, making lasting connections, and making a tangible difference in the community all at once.”

Student success relies on creating a strong sense of community and belonging which is essential to retention in engineering. The feeling of connection and integration for students makes them more likely to thrive academically, confidently, and persist when challenges arise.

“These efforts not only strengthen our engineering community but also cultivate a culture of mentorship, service, and giving back that benefits current and future generations of students.” Cerasela Zoica Dinu, associate dean for student, faculty and staff engagement and administrator of the program, said.

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