National Medal of Science Recipient Richard Tapia to be Honored at Rice University’s Faculty Club for his Pioneering Work in Advancing Diversity in STEM Education

Richard Tapia, a University Professor at Rice University, will be honored for his five decades of service to the university on April 3 at Rice’s Faculty Club. Tapia is widely regarded as a national leader in preparing women and underrepresented minorities for advanced degrees in science, engineering, and mathematics. He has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Presidential Award for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 1996. In 2011, President Barack Obama presented Tapia with the National Medal of Science, making him the first Hispanic to receive this prestigious honor. In addition to his awards, Tapia has achieved significant milestones in 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 the Workforce from 2001-04. At Rice, 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