Melanie Villatoro is a 2018 Women of Color STEM Conference Award nominee.

A licensed professional engineer, she is also an assistant professor at the New York City College of Technology. Professor Villatoro teaches a variety of courses in the civil engineering major.

She has served as a Faculty mentor for multiple students and directed a peer advisory program to increase retention of female students in engineering technology programs. The program aims to improve academic performance and provide them with the personal and professional skills necessary to graduate with their AAS degree within two years.

In collaboration with another professor, she launched a STEM outreach project. The program was developed in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards and provides STEM exposure to a highly underrepresented population.

"My parents moved here from Guatemala when I was 10 months old to provide better opportunities for my siblings and me. I have strived to make them proud and ensure their American Dream came true through my success," Villatoro said. "They gave me confidence and encouraged me throughout my academic and professional career. I recognize the importance of a support network for the success of first-generation college students, females, and coordinate initiatives to make this possible. It is my responsibility to be a role model and provide opportunities in STEM to populations that remain highly underrepresented in the field.