Tonya Peeples, professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, College of Engineering associate dean for diversity and outreach, and director of the Ethnic Inclusion Effort for Iowa Engineering program, has been selected by the Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) as a recipient of its new Pioneers of Diversity Award.

She is being recognized for her role as former MAC chair, as well as for her guidance in helping create a more inclusive Institute and profession.  She will receive the award during the Minority Affairs Committee’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, held at the 2015 AIChE Annual Meeting Nov. 8–13 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In addition, the Societal Impact Operating Council (SIOC) has invited Peeples to its Diversity Summit, “Engineering Diversity and Inclusion: Moving Forward,” on Nov. 10 to be recognized for her commitment to diversity and inclusion within AIChE and throughout her career.

As part of MAC’s 25th Anniversary activities, Peeples also will be interviewed along with other Pioneers of Diversity honorees and other distinguished member of the MAC community as part of an archive project to document MAC’s progress.