3 UCLA Professors Receive Distinguished Engineering Educator Award

UCLA Samueli School of Engineering professors Veronica Santos, Richard Wesel and Benjamin Williams have been named the 2026 Distinguished Engineering Educator Award recipients by the Engineers’ Council. The organization presented the honorees at its 71st annual awards banquet Feb. 28 in Universal City, California.

The award recognizes exemplary contributions to teaching, mentorship and the advancement of engineering education.

Santos, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and bioengineering, serves as UCLA Samueli’s Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Faculty Affairs. She studies human-machine interaction, including robotics, prosthetics and the science of touch and movement.

Wesel, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, serves as the school’s associate dean for academic and student affairs. He researches communication and information theory to improve data transmission and storage systems.

Williams, a professor and chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, focuses on advanced laser and photonic technologies for terahertz and infrared applications.

The Engineers’ Council was founded in 1955 as the San Fernando Valley Engineers’ Council, a mutual benefit society established through the joint efforts of the California Society of Professional Engineers, the American Institute of Plant Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.