August 30, 2021

Lisa Norwood has poured countless hours into organizing our annual diploma ceremonies. It was always a memorable experience to watch Lisa shout “Are you ready!!!!” — and then high-five our graduating seniors as they lined up to enter the Eastman Auditorium.

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

Lisa Norwood ’86, ’95W (MS), ’13(P), ’20(P) remembers passing the engineering dean’s office during her senior year at the University of Rochester. “There used to be composite pictures of every graduation class in the hallway. I’d walk by the portraits and think, ‘Where are the people who look like me?’ They were all male, all white.”

No one has worked harder or more successfully than Lisa to foster diversity at the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. During more than 26 years of outstanding service as our assistant dean of undergraduate studies, Lisa has been instrumental in creating pathways for women, underrepresented, low-income and first-generation students to excel in engineering.

In addition to being a tireless advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, Lisa has been an inspiring mentor to countless students, an innovative administrator, and an enthusiastic ambassador for our University.

And, as I can personally attest, Lisa is a wonderful person to work with!

To honor Lisa, who retired this month, we dedicate this issue of Hajim Highlights to the many ways she has embodied the spirit of Meliora and made our University a better place.

AN OUTSTANDING STUDENT

As an undergraduate, Lisa received the 1986 Fanny R. Bigelow Prize, one of the University’s highest awards for student service by women, in recognition of distinguished achievement in both academic and extracurricular activities.

She was cited for her “energy, gregariousness, and organizational skills” as coordinator of the 1985 Freshmen Orientation Program. As a Wilson Scholar, she did research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts and at the West Indies Laboratory in St. Croix.

She served as a minority peer counselor, a member of the Meridian Society, was a member of the varsity cross-country team, and a record holder and co-captain on the track team.

“Winning the Fannie Bigelow award was one of the highlights of my collegiate career,” Lisa later said. “I always felt privileged to be able to attend a school of UR’s caliber, knowing full well that Black and female students were not always welcome here. It was really cool to win an award named after someone who fought so hard to get students like myself admitted to Rochester. I still feel a sense of pride each year when these prizes are given to hard-working undergraduate women and believe that it’s an obligation on my part to make sure deserving students are nominated.”

BUILDING A PIPELINE

Lisa was included in two Rochester Review articles about the Hajim School, in 2008 and 2009. At left, Lisa meets with Early Connection Opportunity (ECO) students in a photo that was used with The Future of Engineering. At right, Lisa talks with Jack Mottley, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, in a photo that appeared in Engineering Redesigned.

Especially noteworthy have been Lisa’s unceasing efforts to attract and retain young women and underrepresented minority students in engineering. These efforts have included:

• Directing the University’s Women in Science and Engineering (UR WISE) program.
• Starting a daylong workshop to help Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley (GSGV) members earn their Science in Action badges, and to encourage the girls to pursue their interest in science. This was while Lisa was the president of the Rochester Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
• Partnering with Baden Street Settlement to show 26 Rochester City School high school students the wonders of science and technology.
• Bringing the FIRST LEGO League Tournament to Rochester. The tournament attracted more than 500 middle school students to campus each year to compete in a giant Lego-based engineering challenge.
• Developing the STEM-Gems program, which uses data-based strategies to help retain historically at-risk first generation, low-income, and minority undergraduates majoring in engineering and computer science.

LISA’S OTHER AWARDS

Hajim School Outstanding Staff Award (2003)
Recognizes excellence and dedication well above and beyond the call of duty.

University Witmer Award (2008, inaugural recipient)
Recognizes a select number of employees for careers characterized by outstanding and sustained contributions to the University.

University Meliora Award (2016), shared with Hajim School Undergraduate Academic Support Team
Honors a staff member or teams of staff whose work performance and dedication exemplify our motto, Meliora: Ever Better.

Hajim School Dottie Welch Award (2021)
Recognizes a Hajim School staff member “whose performance and dedication enriches the student experience in the tradition exemplified by Dottie Welch,” the former undergraduate coordinator, Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Left to right, Alvin Lomibao, Kelly Johnson, Nick Valentino, Lisa Norwood, and Rohan Palma, members of the Hajim School Undergraduate Academic Support Team who received the University’s Meliora Award.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

“She encouraged me to explore all my interests, not just engineering. Even after I switched to a BME advisor, I still sought Lisa’s advice on classes, extracurricular activities, and my personal life. Since graduating, I have turned to Lisa for both insight and guidance during each of my career transitions.”
Jaymi Della ’06, currently a patent examiner with the US Patent and Trademark Office

“Lisa is always willing to volunteer her personal time to promote engineering to precollege students . . . In fact, she keeps a storage closet full of old appliances so the kids can take them apart to see how they work.”
Kevin Parker, emeritus dean of engineering and applied sciences, when Lisa received the Witmer Award

“Lisa makes a point to have meaningful check-ins with her staff on a regular basis. She promotes collaborative teamwork and open communication, and gives us the freedom and support to determine how we can be the best version of ourselves. To Lisa, we are not just employees. We are important members of a close-knit team, working every day to support our students in the best way possible.”
Lisa’s staff members

Lisa is always there with her knowledge, her people skills, and her caring concern to help a student. No faculty advisor could possibly ask for better support.”
Alfred Clark Jr., former chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Undergraduate Committee

“The first moment I met Lisa she exclaimed my name excitedly and immediately welcomed me as if I were part of the family. […] Lisa has never once forgotten about me, always wants to know how I’m doing, and if I ever need anything she’s more than willing to help. She’s . . . supported and encouraged me in whatever path I chose, and I can say with the utmost certainty that without Lisa, her wonderful personality and bubbly nature, I would not be the person I am today.
Melisanda Feliz, ’22, biomedical engineering

LISA NORWOOD STUDENT ENDOWMENT FUND

In closing, on behalf of all the former Hajim Deans and Associate Deans who have worked with Lisa, including Duncan Moore, Kevin Parker, Rob Clark, Tom Hsiang, Jack Mottley, Wayne Knox, Jim Zavislan and Paul Funkenbusch, I am thrilled to announce the creation of the Lisa Norwood Student Endowment Fund. The fund will support student enrichment, travel to conferences, and student groups and will ensure that Lisa’s legacy lives on for generations to come. To learn more or contribute to the fund, please contact Tyrone Jimmison, Executive Director of Advancement for the Hajim School.

Thanks again, Lisa, for all you have done for us. We will be forever grateful.

I hope all of you will have a great week, and a great Labor Day Weekend! The next issue of Hajim Highlights will be Tuesday, September 7.

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman