Shroat-Lewis Receives Mid-Career Excellence Award in Academia and Research
A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor has been recognized for her outstanding contributions in teaching and research in Earth and space sciences.
Dr. René Shroat-Lewis, associate professor of geology, has received the 2024 Mid-Career Excellence Award in Academia and Research from the Association for Women Geoscientists.
“Winning the Mid-Career Excellence Award from the Association for Women Geoscientists is an incredible honor that reflects the work I’ve done in geology up to this point in my career,” she said. “It’s not just about the research I’ve contributed, but also the effort I’ve put into mentoring others and fostering an inclusive environment in the classroom and in the field.”
Shroat-Lewis was selected for the award for her innovative teaching, scientific accomplishments, efforts on behalf of students with disabilities, and outreach efforts.
“For me, this award highlights the importance of supporting and encouraging future generations of women in geoscience, ensuring that they have the opportunities and resources to succeed. It’s a proud moment that recognizes both the scientific and community-building aspects of my career, and I’m grateful to be acknowledged in this way.”
She joined UA Little Rock as an instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences in 2012, moved into a tenure-track assistant professor position in 2015, and earned tenure in 2021.
Her service at UA Little Rock has included mentoring three graduate students, 11 undergraduate students, and overseeing 16 students through internships. She’s also served as a co-director for the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence and a facilitator for the Mobile Institute on Science Teaching. Additionally, she’s worked with the university’s Disability Resource Center to create introductory geology laboratory materials for students who are visually impaired as well as created active learning materials for introductory geology courses.
“I’m extremely fortunate to work at an academic institution that actively supports and encourages faculty to engage in meaningful endeavors that benefit both our students and the broader community,” she said. “The freedom and support to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom—whether through research, outreach, or mentorship—enables me to make a greater impact within the scientific community. This backing creates a dynamic environment where all faculty can contribute not only to academic excellence, but also to initiatives that help shape the future of our field.”
In her community service, Shroat-Lewis serves as State Director for Arkansas Science Olympiad, a member of the Geological Society of America Joint Technical Program Committee, a leader for the Climate Reality Project, and an instructor for the Boy Scouts of America Oceanography Merit Badge University.
Shroat-Lewis has been involved with the Association for Women Geoscientists since 2003, serving as a committee member of the Jeanne E. Harris Chrysalis Award, a scholarship she once received, since 2009 and the South-Central Delegate since 2019.
“The Jeanne E. Harris Chrysalis Scholarship is very near and dear to my heart because it offers critical financial support to women geoscience graduate students whose education has been significantly disrupted by life circumstances, helping them complete their degrees and continue pursuing their goals,” she said. “Serving on the Chrysalis Committee is incredibly humbling because of the powerful stories we hear from applicants.”
