Richard Tapia, a renowned expert in science, engineering, and mathematics education and a University Professor at Rice University, will be honored for his five decades of service to the institution on April 3 at Rice’s Faculty Club. Throughout his illustrious career, Tapia has been widely recognized as a national leader in preparing women and underrepresented minorities for advanced degrees in STEM fields.

Tapia has received numerous accolades during his career, including the Presidential Award for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 1996 and the National Medal of Science in 2011. He became the first Hispanic to receive this prestigious award. In addition to these honors, Tapia was awarded the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Public Engagement with Science Award in 2016.

Aside from his awards, Tapia has achieved several significant milestones throughout his career. In 1992, he became the first Hispanic elected to the National Academy of Engineering. President Bill Clinton appointed him to the National Science Board in 1996 where he served until 2002. Tapia also chaired the National Research Council’s Board on Higher Education and Workforce from 2001-04. At Rice University, Tapia has held several key roles including director of the Rice Graduate Education for Minorities and Empowering Leadership Alliance Programs, associate director of graduate studies in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, and director of the Center for Excellence and Equity in Education.

Throughout his career at Rice University, Tapia has made significant contributions to promoting diversity and inclusivity in STEM education. He created the Tapia Camps which are residential STEM camps for rising eighth-12th graders at Rice University. These camps have been instrumental in guiding students towards futures in STEM fields by providing them with an immersive experience life as a Rice student while completing STEM projects and presentations