Deidra Hodges, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering, was recognized as one of six recipients of the 2009 USF Women’s Leadership Awards program. The Women’s Status Committee of the University of South Florida, along with USF President Judy Genshaft and USF Senior Vice-Provost Dwayne Smith, honored this year’s recipients at a reception on March 24, 2009, at the USF Marshall Center. The Women’s Leadership Awards were established in 2004 by President Judy Genshaft to recognize outstanding contributions in research, service and mentoring to women and girls at USF in the community. Annually, only six recipients are chosen from throughout USF from faculty, staff, and students. The awards are presented each spring during Women’s Awareness Month.

Deidra was honored for her leadership in mentoring undergraduates in alternative energy research, and for involving local K-12 students in “hands-on” science activities - building “mini” solar systems and solar cells during Engineering Expo and other outreach events. According to her research advisor, Dr. Chris Ferekides, Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, “Deidra has been an exemplary student-leader, mentor, and role model. She has been an inspiration to everyone.”