Release No: 081
April 8, 2011

Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - Air Force officials announced the two Air Force winners of the 2011 Department of Defense Women's History Month Foreign Language and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Role Model Award.

Maj. Elaine Bryant, United States Air Force Academy, Colo., and Dr. Heidi Ries, Air Education and Training Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are the 2011 Air Force winners of the DOD-level award.

The award recognizes military members and federal service employees who supported the department's mission or overseas contingency operations, or whose activities best epitomized the core values of their respective military service or organization.

Major Bryant established the USAFA Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Educator Workshop, a two-day workshop designed to motivate and teach local educators techniques for more effective science, engineering and math instruction. She also led USAFA cadets in STEM outreach to the local high schools, where she was instrumental in promoting science and engineering to minority students.

Dr. Ries was the energizing force behind the collaboration between notable Ohio universities and the Air Force Institute of Technology that resulted in improved communication, recruitment and processes for women faculty members. Additionally, Dr. Ries contributed to regional and national STEM initiatives through her service to the Engineering and Science Foundation of Dayton, Centerville City schools, and the American Society for Engineering Education's Engineering Research Council.

For more information on Air Force recognition programs, visit the Air Force personnel services website or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.