UTRGV’s Orozco-Leonhardt receives 2024 SME Faculty Advisor Award

Lecturer earns national recognition for bridging real-world manufacturing with student success

By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS– When Dr. Edna Orozco-Leonhardt first stepped into her classroom at UTRGV, she envisioned a space where aspiring engineers could turn academic experiences into pathways for advanced manufacturing careers and groundbreaking research.

That vision has led to a significant milestone: being honored with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers 2024 Distinguished Faculty Advisor Award.

“Receiving SME’s Distinguished Faculty Advisor Award is an incredible honor that reinforces my dedication to student mentorship,” Orozco-Leonhardt said. “For me personally, it reflects the impact of years of effort in creating opportunities for students to develop technical skills, build professional networks and gain real-world experience.”

She said the distinction highlights UTRGV’s growing profile in national and international engineering, aligning the university with the rigorous standards of an R1 research institution – a designation for universities with high research activity as recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

REAL-WORLD INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

A key aspect of Orozco-Leonhardt’s teaching centers on bringing real-world industry exposure into the classroom. By partnering with local and national organizations, she arranges site visits to places such as Toyota, Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She also encourages students to join SME Chapter 297, where they learn hands-on manufacturing techniques and automation processes, and participate in competitions and conferences.

“Students gain exposure to advanced manufacturing, materials science applications, and the confidence to see themselves as leaders in the field,” she said. “They compete alongside peers from top universities, proving our students’ skills and knowledge match those at any R1 institution.”

According to Dr. Ala Qubbaj, dean of the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science, Orozco-Leonhardt’s leadership has been instrumental in increasing retention and graduation rates for students in manufacturing engineering.

“When it comes to supporting student success and engagement, Dr. Orozco-Leonhardt is an exemplar,” Qubbaj said. “Her role as an undergraduate coordinator has been key to improving these outcomes, and under her guidance, students are thriving.”

Qubbaj also noted that Orozco-Leonhardt’s service as an SME faculty advisor adds another layer of mentorship that extends beyond the classroom.

“She ensures students not only progress toward graduation but also become engaged in professional organizations at the university and national levels,” he said. “As a result, we’ve seen more students attending national conferences, securing internships and receiving competitive job offers before they graduate.”

EXPANDING OUTREACH AND LEADERSHIP

Orozco-Leonhardt also supports K–12 outreach efforts, spearheading future engineers’ camps for the college.

The connections her students make through SME, whether at conferences, competitions, or internships, are crucial to their success, she said.

“SME has been pivotal in providing our students with direct industry exposure. They’re not just learning theory; they’re applying their skills in real-world environments,” she said. “This kind of engagement shows them that dedication and talent matter most, not an institution’s classification.”

Watching students evolve from uncertain undergraduates to accomplished engineers remains one of the most fulfilling parts of her role, she said, and she can recall numerous success stories of individuals who once doubted their place in engineering but went on to excel academically and professionally.

“With mentorship and perseverance, they’ve proven they can compete at the highest levels,” she said. “Many are now in graduate school, thriving in industry or pursuing doctoral programs. Seeing them excel reaffirms that UTRGV students stand on par with their peers at top-tier institutions.”

Orozco-Leonhardt said the Distinguished Faculty Advisor Award strengthens her resolve to find even more opportunities for her students.

“It inspires me to continue advocating for greater access to internships, industry collaborations and national conferences,” she said. “Ultimately, their success is UTRGV’s success, and this award motivates me to push our efforts even further.”

ABOUT SME
SME, founded in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, represents the manufacturing industry, academia, and professionals across North America. Through its initiatives, SME promotes the adoption of modern technologies, drives industry competitiveness, and supports the next generation of manufacturers. To learn more, visit sme.org.