Associate Professor Gary Halada Finalist for PAESMEM

Associate Professor Gary Halada is on the short list to receive a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). The award serves as an honor for those who have made significant contributions in mentoring within the STEM field.

"Dr. Halada's dedication to mentoring and his impactful contributions to the success of underrepresented students in STEM have not only elevated our department but also have set a standard for mentorship across the university," said Dilip Gersappe, professor and chair of the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering. "We are honored to have him as a member of our faculty."

PAESMEM highlights mentors that provide students, who may otherwise not have the chance, the opportunity to pursue STEM. Anyone who contributes to education in the United States is considered. In addition to a certificate signed by the President of the United States, the recipient of the award will also receive a $10,000 reward from the National Science Foundation.

Gary Halada

Halada, who earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Stony Brook, is a longtime member of the Stony Brook University faculty, having taught at the university for over 30 years. He began teaching at Stony Brook when he was a graduate student.

Halada serves as both associate professor and undergraduate program director (ESG), and has dedicated significant time to mentoring students in addition to teaching and research. He is no stranger to recognition for his teaching, having previously won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching from Stony Brook University in 2013.

Halada's teaching and mentorship has ignited students' passion for STEM from middle school to higher education. Inspired by former fellow faculty member Professor David Ferguson, Halada worked with challenged school districts on Long Island to elevate their quality of education.

"I worked with the high school teachers and learned what their challenges were and what they were facing," Halada said. "They were having problems with test scores and figuring out why those problems happened, and then how we as a university could contribute to the teaching mission, even at the high school and middle school level."

Stony Brook University resources and outreach programs in conjunction with other universities have helped less privileged educators at Long Island middle and high schools. Halada describes Stony Brook in this way as a "utility for education," sharing his wealth of teaching knowledge and his mentorship to students.

"A big aspect of this PAESMEM award is about building inclusivity," Halada said. "It's really a word about being able to reach out to students from different backgrounds and abilities to make a more inclusive educational program."

- Angelina Livigni

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