LSU Department of Chemistry professor Graça Vicente, along with the LSU Office of Strategic Initiatives will be given the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring by President Donald Trump at a ceremony in Washington D.C., according to an LSU Media Center press release. 
PAESMEM recognizes the efforts of mentors who “encourage the next generation of innovators.” This years award winners include 27 individuals from 14 different organizations, who will all be recognized on June 26 at the Smithsonian Institution. 
Vicente become the director of the University Initiative for Maximizing Student Development in 2007, and has since seen 82 undergraduate and graduate students complete the program. These students develop special academic and technical skills in University laboratories under the director of faculty mentors. Vicente has personally mentor 71 students in her laboratory.  
The LSU Office of Strategic Initiatives was established in 2001 to help underrepresented students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. OSI uses a “mentoring ladder” to help students from the high school level, all the way through the graduate level. Those students then help mentor other students along their way up the high education “ladder.” 
Since 2001, OSI has mentored nearly 500 undergraduate students, 60 percent of whom are minority students in STEM-based programs. 

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Courtesy of LSU Media Relations

Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion and associate professor of research, chemistry education at LSU will be accepting the award on behalf of OSI.