Zoe Minden
B.S., Electrical Engineering
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Achievement recognizes a graduating student each academic year. The recipient is selected on the basis of academic achievement and love of learning, overcoming barriers in pursuit of academic goals, future leadership potential, involvement in campus life and other examples of achievement.
One of her professors calls Zoe Minden “a role model for women in the engineering program.” And no wonder. Her 3.93 GPA attests to the seriousness with which she approaches the subject. “She excels in all the projects she undertakes, and actively participates in all classes. She is also always earnest to learn science and new technologies,” said Professor Feng Zhao, who nominated her for the award.
She chose the challenging Renewable track and has completed the requirements for a Certification in Renewable Energy. “The renewable track opened up some career opportunities in terms of learning a different application of semiconductors,” she said. “The project side of things allowed me to learn a lot of skills that I will need in a career setting.”
During the pandemic, Minden did research with Zhao’s group. “She took initiative in her learning of research papers, carried over the research project and discussed with me and other graduate students over Zoom the research goals and progress,” Zhao said. “Her research results were the essential part of a peer-reviewed paper we published later on in a prestigious journal.”
In the summer of 2021, Minden interned at Qorvo in Hillsboro, Ore. as a data analyst. During that time, she said, “I used my opportunity to work with test engineers and technicians to observe how test programs of the circuit designs of different die and masks are developed and implemented. I worked in the die-sort engineering team and was able to advance my teamwork and communication skills.”
Beyond her academic pursuits, Minden is a typical college student. She has been involved with the Office of Student Involvement throughout her four years at WSU Vancouver, as well as student government and campus clubs, notably the IEEE student club, an association for future engineers. She was elected president of the club in her junior year, after serving as both secretary and treasurer before that. She hosted study groups through the IEEE club to engage students in club activities and connect with the community.
Minden often has a leadership role in her academic projects. “She has demonstrated leadership by motivating others to also succeed by listening to her team members, being willing to get her hands dirty, and being adaptable in unpredictable situations,” Zhao wrote.
Minden grew up in the Vancouver area and enrolled at WSU Vancouver right out of high school. She chose it in part because of the engineering program and in part because her mother was in one of the university’s first graduating classes. She plays flute and piccolo in the Clark College Orchestra and the Oregon Sinfonietta.
Her future looks promising. On May 28, she and Andrew Templin, a 2021 WSU Vancouver graduate, are getting married, and in the fall, she will begin her master’s degree program in electrical engineering at WSU Vancouver.
Past award recipients
2020 – 2021
Rebecca Daniel
2019 – 2020
Vince Chavez
2018 – 2019
Loren Horowitz
2017 – 2018
Navaraj "Raj" Lamichhane
2016 – 2017
Julian Rivas
2015 – 2016
Allegra Koupal
2014 – 2015
Kathrynn Gonzalez
2013 – 2014
Helena Lucia
2012 – 2013
Monica Santos-Pinacho
2011 – 2012
Dora Hernandez
2010 – 2011
Jerry Gowan
2009 – 2010
Mary Krzysiak
2008 – 2009
Amy Burton
2007 – 2008
David Neuhauser
2006 – 2007
Richard O'Brien
2005 – 2006
Laurie Giacomini
2004 – 2005
Melissa Huse
2003 – 2004
Kimiyo Kanekoa-Rivera
2002 – 2003
Robin Shanafelt
2001 – 2002
Jon Hartinger
Noelani Punwai
2000 – 2001
Major W. Harris Jr.
1999 – 2000
Laura Ellsworth
1998 – 1999
Michelle (Smith) Musso
1997 – 1998
Jimmie Wright
1996 – 1997
Karen Brown
1995 – 1996
Melody Miller
1994 – 1995
Pam Hilberg
Dennis Lambie
1993 – 1994
Michael Martin
1992 – 1993
Adam Baker
Paula Martin