UAlbany Center for Women in Government and Civil Society Program Names NYS Students as Vanguard Award Winners

Award recognizes outstanding students who choose nontraditional career paths

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 14, 2011) --

Eight New York State students were named winners of the Vanguard Student Recognition Award, administered by the New York State Nontraditional Employment & Training (NET) Project, a program of the University at Albany’s Center for Women in Government and Civil Society. The Vanguard Award is given annually to high school juniors and seniors and college students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs that prepare them for careers that are nontraditional for their gender, such as women studying carpentry and men training to be nurses.

The Vanguard Award is given to high school juniors and seniors and college students in programs that prepare them for careers that are nontraditional for their gender.

For the 2010-2011 year, eight winners were selected from 24 finalists; winners and finalists were chosen from a pool of more than 100 students nominated. That pool includes students who are studying for careers in the following sectors: aerospace; agriculture and natural resources; architecture and construction; automotive; early childhood education; defense and security; healthcare; hospitality and human services; pre-engineering; and technology and communications.

The 2010-2011 Vanguard Award winners are:

• Edwin Figueroa, nursing, Farmingdale State College

• Marshal Oberer, certified nurse aide, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership

• Yesenia Argueta, computer technology, Ulster County BOCES

• Lindsey McEvoy, conservation, Wayne Technical and Career Center

• Karla Gaudron, mechanical engineering, Saunders Trades and Technical High School

• Linda Wood, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration, Monroe Community College

• Alyssa Thompson, criminal justice, Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES

• Douglas Massey, nursing, Suffolk Community College 

Vanguard Award winners will be honored at a breakfast on March 25 at 7:30 a.m. at the Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators annual leadership conference, Desmond Hotel, 660 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany, N.Y.

Vanguard Award winners receive a $100 scholarship, a certificate, and public statewide recognition as students who are role models for others considering nontraditional careers.

The NET Project is funded through a grant from the New York State Education Department.