To honor Women’s History Month, the Florida Tech Alumni Association hosted the 2025 Women Inspiring Success and Excellence (WISE) Awards Luncheon March 13. Inspired by Joan Bixby ’75 M.S., former university administrator, the awards recognize four individuals who exemplify leadership, mentorship and the advancement of women within the Florida Tech community. Each year, a student, alumna, staff member and faculty member are chosen for this distinction.
- Melissa Steinman ’06, Alumni Legacy Award
- Jessica Smeltz, Faculty Excellence Award
- Jessica Cartagena Assam, Joan Bixby Staff Impact Award
- Ameerah Alsulami, Student Catalyst Award
Here’s more about each winner:
Melissa Steinman ’06
Melissa Steinman ’06 is a marine scientist and educator known for bridging STEM and CTE education. She earned a Ph.D. in biology from Portland State University in 2024, with earlier degrees in biology and oceanography from Portland State and Florida Tech, plus a master’s in teaching from Southern Oregon University. A former middle and high school teacher, Steinman developed curricula integrating oceanography and career technical education, helping secure more than $700,000 in grants to prepare students for coastal Oregon’s “blue economy.” Her leadership in STEM education has been recognized at state and national forums. A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, she served in major operations and received multiple honors. She also supports veterans and advocates for diversity in science and technology.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: “I attended Florida Tech during a time when I was also deploying about every six months. After returning from my last deployment, I very quickly found that the way I learn had changed and I would have to relearn how to learn. I went from being a high-achieving student in high school and college to struggling with crippling anxiety that was made worse during exams. After thoroughly failing an exam in Dr. Kevin Johnson‘s Zooplankton Ecology course, I attended office hours at a complete loss of how to move forward. He told me, ‘Sometimes, anxiety can be a catalyst for action.’ He went on to explain that while anxiety can cause paralysis, if we can use it to take just one step toward our goals, we will find that we can make significant movement down the path toward our goals. I used that many times after, and I believe his kindness and understanding was a seed planted that later developed into utilizing trauma-informed instruction in every aspect of my teaching and mentoring.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR JOURNEY: “I am most proud of the ecosystem of people that are around me. I have invested significant time and energy in the development of many people, but I do that, knowing how many people have made a similar investment in me.”
Jessica Smeltz
Jessica Smeltz is an award-winning educator and associate professor of chemistry who also serves as interim head of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. She holds a doctorate in chemistry from North Carolina State University, where she focused on organometallic chemistry and catalysis. Smeltz has led major curriculum improvements, including the launch of a supplemental instruction program for general and organic chemistry. She has received several teaching honors, including the Phi Eta Sigma Excellence in Teaching Award (four times), the Kerry Bruce Clark Excellence in Teaching Award, the ACS Orlando Section Outstanding Four-Year College Teacher Award and the Student Government Association’s Professor of the Year award. As department head, her leadership reflects a commitment to academic excellence and the professional development of students and faculty.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: “‘You don’t have to have everything figured out right now.’ Life can be unpredictable, and the pressure to know exactly what you’re doing, where you’re going and how you’re going to get there can be overwhelming. But the truth is, no one has it all figured out, and that’s okay. Growth happens in stages, and what feels uncertain today might make perfect sense in hindsight. It’s about learning to trust the process.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR JOURNEY: “What I am most proud of in my journey is always staying true to myself. Doing the right thing isn’t always the popular choice, and making others happy doesn’t always align with what’s right. But authenticity has allowed me to form meaningful connections with my colleagues, mentor students with honesty and empathy and lead with a sense of passion and purpose. It’s easy to be swayed by expectations or doubt, but I take pride in knowing that every step of my journey has been true to who I am.”
Jessica Cartagena Assam
Jessica Cartagena Assam is the assistant director of sponsor relations in the Office of Advancement, where she helps build partnerships with individual and corporate sponsors to support key university fundraising events. She has played a key role in the success of events such as Wine Women & Shoes Space Coast, which benefits the weVENTURE Women’s Business Center, and An Evening of Hope, the flagship fundraiser for The Scott Center for Autism Treatment. Outside of her professional role, Assam advocates for children, conservation and the arts through leadership positions with organizations including the Brevard Zoo, Space Coast Habitat for Humanity and other local community groups.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: “The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to give and expect nothing in return. It taught me the value of selflessness, gratitude and humility. Focusing on helping others without expecting recognition has shaped the way I approach life, reminding me that true fulfillment comes from the act of giving itself.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR JOURNEY: “I’m most proud of balancing my professional success with community involvement and of the legacy I’m building through my children. I take great pride in empowering others and creating a lasting impact through my work with Florida Tech and local organizations.”
Ameerah Alsulami
Ameerah Alsulami is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science, specializing in cybersecurity, and a lecturer at King Khalid University. She previously served as president of the Association for Computing Machinery Club and the Saudi Student Union. Her research on improving security using ElGamal encryption has received international recognition, and she has contributed to efforts supporting women in cybersecurity through her consulting work with Taqnia Cyber. Outside of technology, she advocates for wildlife conservation and raises awareness about the endangered Arabian leopard. She has also published research related to artificial intelligence. Alsulami is a two-time Outstanding Graduate honoree and a member of Phi Kappa Phi.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: “When I first moved abroad, I was stepping into the unknown—new country, new culture and a new academic environment. It was daunting, but a close friend once told me, ‘You don’t have to have everything figured out today. Just take the next step.’ That advice stayed with me. It taught me to shift my focus from the fear of the unknown to the excitement of growth. This mindset also shaped my approach to leadership. I’ve learned that success isn’t about having all the answers but about being adaptable, learning continuously and surrounding yourself with people who challenge and support you. Now, when I advise students or colleagues, I encourage them not to fear uncertainty but to use it as fuel for discovery.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR JOURNEY: “Pride, for me, is not about titles or awards—it is about the quiet moments when I know I have made a difference. I am proud of the times I have helped someone believe in themselves—a student who once doubted their abilities, a young woman who thought cybersecurity was not a place for her, a colleague who needed encouragement to take a step forward. If even one person saw a new possibility for themselves because of something I did, then that is enough. I am proud of the work I have done in cybersecurity research and education, not just for what it has taught me, but for what it has allowed me to share. Presenting my research internationally, discussing encryption and security, developing cybersecurity training for women—these efforts matter not because they are mine, but because they create ripples that extend beyond me, opening doors for others. And I am proud of how I have grown—not just as a researcher or a professional, but as a person. From a computer science student finding her way in a new world to someone who now helps others find theirs. More than anything, I hope my journey serves as a reminder that doubt is not a stop sign—it is proof that we are evolving. We are all in motion—learning, growing, becoming. And the beauty of it all is that we never walk this path alone; we lift each other along the way.”
This piece was featured in the spring 2025 edition of Florida Tech Magazine.
