Karen Whitehead, provost and vice president of academic affairs at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, has been named the recipient of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award.

The award honors women who strive for personal and professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way and are leaders for other women to follow.

Whitehead has moved progressively through the faculty ranks from the position of assistant professor to her current position as the first female vice president for academic affairs at the School of Mines and the university's first provost. Throughout her 27 years at the School of Mines, Whitehead has demonstrated creativity and initiative, which have led to many professional accomplishments.

Colleagues say she is role model and mentor, an accomplished team builder and an advocate of working together to solve institutional problems. She is also recognized for her involvement in Leadership Rapid City and the Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching & Learning.

"Her professional skills and commitment, coupled with her ability to foster collaboration toward the achievement of institutional goals, dedication to community and opening the door for others, are demonstrations of her ability to be the best at what she aspires to do and her commitment to assist others, especially women engineering and science students, in reaching their full potential," according to her nomination.