Women's History Month: Honoring Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein
After beginning her career in psychology and community development, Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein returned to school and took what was then an unconventional path into engineering—eventually becoming one of the early female faculty members in Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science and the first female chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (CEAE).
Silverstein's journey is being highlighted by the department in recognition of International Women's Day on March 8 and for Women's History Month.
“With all the current efforts to erase history that celebrates diverse contributions, Women’s History Month is even more important, as a reality check and an inspiration,” she said.
In 1982, Silverstein became one of the first women in the country to earn a PhD in civil engineering and soon after joined Boulder as the fourth female tenure-track faculty member in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. In 1999, she became the second woman in CEAE to be promoted to full professor. In 2002, she was elected as its first female department chair and served in the position until 2010. Silverstein held many additional leadership roles throughout her career before retiring in 2022.
Her research focused on water and wastewater treatment process analysis, and throughout her career she has championed the increased participation and positions in leadership roles of women and underrepresented groups in engineering.
"Diversity and inclusion was a career-long driver of my work and a major source of personal fulfillment," she said.
Her advice for aspiring engineers navigating challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion is to foster a community of friends and family for mutual support and inspiration.
“Don’t be ruled by fear of failure or disapproval," she said. "Enlarge your sense of humor.”
Silverstein received the Distinguished Engineering Educator award from the Society of Women Engineers in 2000 and has a Distinguished Professorship at the University of Michigan named after her, among many other accolades.
Reflecting on her journey, she credits her family as a major source of inspiration.
"As teachers and public servants, they instilled in me a strong commitment to creating positive change and serving others," she said.