Cañada prof. honored by White House

Cañada College professor Amelito Enriquez won the Presidential Award for excellence in science, mathematics and engineering mentoring.

"I feel honored and I can't believe I was selected," said Enriquez.

Usually eight or nine award winners are selected by the White House and the National Science Foundation every year; half are individuals and the other half are programs.  

"I was contacted by the White House Office of Science and Technology policy," said Enriquez."I enjoy teaching and mentoring," he said.

Enriquez, who was the only individual selected in California, received this award in recognition for mentoring students through mathematics and engineering.

"Another professor had told me to change my profession after failing one class, Enriquez encouraged me that I could do it," said one of his students, Juan Quant, 32. "He is the most deserving professor that could receive this award."

Being a minority can be discouraging itself, Quant explained. "He wants minorities to succeed," said Quant. "He motivated me."

Enriquez uses two programs: "The Math Jam, which is a two-week intensive program and the Summer Engineering Institute, which is a two-week engineering program at San Francisco State University," he said.

Another program mentioned was the Scholarships and Science Technology Institute.

"We have a 10-week internship for engineering students funded by NASA," said Enriquez.

Because many of his students writing in to help his nomination, Enriquez feels that all of Cañada should be recognized, he said.

"It's the support I got from the students that helped me win the nomination," said Enriquez.

The award ceremony takes place Dec. 11 to 13.

"I think we're going to get a tour of the White House," he said.

He does not know what to expect once he gets there, he said.

"The awarded will be asked about policy on math, engineering, science education in the U.S.," he said.

He plans to bring his mother to Washington D.C. with him.