Professional Society for Women Educators Honors Four Trailblazing Faculty Members in Prescott
Four faculty members have been honored by an Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International — a professional society of key women educators — for their exceptional work in teaching, research and mentorship.
The faculty members with the Prescott Campus were recognized during the chapter’s biennial Honors Breakfast on Nov. 16, an event that brought together educators, community leaders and Delta Kappa Gamma members to recognize 19 women for their outstanding contributions to education.
The four Embry-Riddle Prescott faculty honorees included:
- Heather Marriott, associate professor of Computer Science
A member of Embry-Riddle’s faculty since 2006, Professor Marriott has over two decades of experience in software engineering. She is a passionate advocate for accessible education, specializing in mobile app development and database applications that make complex coding concepts understandable for students of all ages.
- Dr. Kaela Martin, associate professor of Aerospace Engineering
Having joined the Aerospace Engineering Department in 2015, Dr. Martin teaches and conducts research in the area of astrodynamics and engineering education. A leader in astrodynamics and satellite dynamics, Dr. Martin has been a trailblazer in her field, mentoring students and contributing to the advancement of aerospace technology.
- Dr. Preethi Santhanam, assistant professor of Cyber Intelligence and Security
An assistant professor in the College of Business, Security and Intelligence, Dr. Santhanam specializes in Android privacy and security, natural language processing, and program analysis. Dr. Santhanam is responsible for teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, as well as developing and implementing advanced curricula in software security. She has significant industry experience from her tenure as a senior software engineer at Teradata Corporation in California.
- Dr. Pragati Pradhan, assistant professor of Physics and Astronomy
Dr. Pradhan inspires her students to reach for the stars by bringing the universe closer to their work. Not only is she a dedicated advocate of STEM education, but her efforts to develop algorithms for next-generation satellites and for analyzing massive datasets have earned her over $700,000 in research funding from NASA and other key partner organizations.
Prescott Campus Chancellor Ken Witcher, Ph.D., congratulated the honorees. “Embry-Riddle is world-renowned for its second-to-none education and training for tomorrow’s aviation, aerospace security and intelligence leaders. The outstanding faculty recognized at this event embody the pioneering spirit of innovation and steadfast dedication to our students — qualities that are emblematic of the Embry-Riddle mission,” he said.
Dr. Pradhan said she was humbled by the recognition she and the other honorees received from the Delta Kappa Gamma chapter. “Being part of such a diverse and accomplished group was both inspiring and uplifting. I am deeply honored to be recognized among such a respected community of educators,” she said.
The mission of Delta Kappa Gamma is to promote the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education around the world. The organization’s biennial Honors Breakfast is a way to highlight the outstanding work of community educators.
At this year’s event, held at the Victorian Estates Clubhouse in Prescott, keynote speaker Susan Clark, a retired elementary educator from the Chino Valley Unified School District, reminded the audience that educators are a critical link to the future.
“It was truly a heartwarming experience,” Dr. Pradhan said, “and it was inspiring to hear about the remarkable accomplishments of all 19 honorees, from kindergarten teachers to college educators.”