An American Structurepoint architect’s work mentoring high school students interested in pursuing architecture, construction, and engineering careers is receiving recognition on the national level. Vanessa Shumate, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CSI, received a 2016 ENR-ACE Outstanding Mentor Award at the ACE Mentor Program Conference in Washington, D.C., today.

ACE Mentor Program is a national organization that strives to engage, excite and enlighten high school students about careers in architecture, construction and engineering by providing mentoring opportunities and meaningful educational experiences. Vanessa has mentored nearly 250 students since joining ACE Mentor Program of Indianapolis eight years ago.

“I love that we are helping the students with their futures, and at the same time, reinvigorating our own profession,” she said. “Students in the ACE Mentor Program gain a step up in their college careers by learning the industry language, practicing some of the skill sets needed, and being able to fully reconcile what they are being asked to do.”

Vanessa currently is in her fourth year serving as co-captain for a team of students from the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township in Indianapolis who meet twice monthly. Team co-captains attend every meeting and ensure the students learn about as many aspects of the three industries as possible. They also oversee the students as they work on a full-design project that includes architectural, structural, civil, environmental, utilities, landscape architecture, and in some cases, a road or bridge integration.

She also is a junior board member of the Indianapolis affiliate and advises committee members on selecting worthy high school and college recipients for scholarship dollars that the group awards each May.

Vanessa’s passion for mentoring students will pay off handsomely for a future architect, engineer or construction industry professional. To recognize Vanessa’s exceptional mentoring, ACE Mentor Program of Indianapolis will receive funding from the national organization for a $2,000 student scholarship to be named in Vanessa’s honor.