Judith A. Resnik was an exceptional student, graduating from high school in Ohio as valedictorian of her class. In addition to her academics, she was also an accomplished classical pianist. She completed her bachelor of science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1970 and her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Electrical Engineering in 1977. She worked for RCA, the National Institutes of Health, and the Xerox Corporation before becoming an astronaut candidate with NASA.

With NASA, she became a mission specialist adding extensive engineering experience to special mission projects. With her first flight in 1984, she became only the second American woman to fly into space. In 1986, she was again a mission specialist aboard the orbiter Challenger, which exploded as it was launched into space. Judith A. Resnik and six other crew members died in that explosion.

She was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), American Association of University Women (AAUQ), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Mortar Board. She was also a little sister to the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at Carnegie Mellon University.

Department Heads, Associate Deans, or their designees, are invited to nominate one senior woman from their department. The department should submit their single nomination by following the Nomination Package guidelines outlined on this page and completing the nomination form below.

Nominees must be a female-identifying senior who is planning to attend graduate school or medical school in a technical field. Candidates may be nominated from all technical majors.

The selection committee will choose a recipient and notify the department and the recipient directly. A check and certificate will be given to the winner’s department for presentation at their home department’s diploma ceremony.

Nominator's are required to upload the nomination package as one file when completing the nomination form. Each nomination packet should include:

1. Nomination letter with the following sections. See the Nomination Letter Tips section for formatting and writing tips. 
   1. Academic Engagement and Performance
   2. CMU and Community Involvement (Co-curricular)
   3. Inspiring Others
   4. Character
2. Nominee's resume with phone and email contact information
3. Nominee’s statement of purpose for graduate school, or an equivalent goal statement, may be both academic and personal (not to exceed two pages)

In addition, the Office of the Vice Provost for Education will provide the selection committee with the nominee's unofficial transcript.

Nomination materials may be used for the promotion of the award and may be referenced in related publications. Individual names will not be referenced without the consent of the author.

Criteria to be addressed in the nomination should include academic performance, creativity and vision to illustrate potential for high academic achievement in her field and future contributions to the wider community. 

See the Nomination Package section for specific sections to be included in the nomination letter. 

Formatting

• Times New Roman or Helvetica font
• 12 point font
• 1” margins
• 1.5 line spacing
• Footer: Page number on left and “Jane Doe nomination” on the right for clarification