Donna Pattison Named One of HBJ's Women Who Mean Business
Recognized in the Outstanding Business Leader in Government and Education Category
Donna Pattison, NSM assistant dean for student success and instructional professor in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry, was recognized on October 17 as one of Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business. She was nominated in the Outstanding Business Leader in Government and Education category.
The Women Who Mean Business Awards recognize women in leadership roles who demonstrate excellence in their careers and community, honoring women across nine industry categories plus the Woman to Watch category. Pattison is one of 90 women recognized.
The criteria for selection included career achievement, contribution to company and city success, community involvement and leadership.
Pattison was recognized for her dedication to educational research within STEM, enhancing student success, and the development of curriculum in biology and biochemistry. Her distinctions include multiple teaching awards, including UH’s Distinguished Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award for her sustained and significant contributions in education. In addition, she is a nationally recognized leader of the CRISPR in the Classroom Network, which empowers faculty to integrate CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology into courses.
Pattison feels the real value of education lies in human interaction.
“Prioritizing human interaction in education is key to maintaining strong systems that nurture well-rounded, competitive graduates and ensure a brighter economic future for our country,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give to up-and-coming female leaders, she said “I would recommend you ensure you are both seen and heard at meetings. Arrive early to meetings and sit at the table, not in surrounding chairs, to avoid being overlooked. Collaborate with other women in the meeting to ensure everyone’s ideas are heard and acknowledged properly.”
All honorees were recognized at an awards ceremony and in a special section of the Houston Business Journal’s October 18 weekly edition.
Kathy Major, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics