Women's History Month: Honoring Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein

sugl6437 — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:24:09 +0000

Women's History Month: Honoring Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein sugl6437 Thu, 03/05/2026 - 14:24

Emi Szabo

After beginning her career in psychology and community development, Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein returned to school and took what was then an unconventional path into engineering—eventually becoming one of the early female faculty members in 91��ý’s College of Engineering and Applied Science and the first female chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (CEAE).

Silverstein's journey is being highlighted by the department in recognition of International Women's Day on March 8 and for Women's History Month.

“With all the current efforts to erase history that celebrates diverse contributions, Women’s History Month is even more important, as a reality check and an inspiration,” she said.

In 1982, Silverstein became one of the first women in the country to earn a PhD in civil engineering and soon after joined 91��ý as the fourth female tenure-track faculty member in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. In 1999, she became the second woman in CEAE to be promoted to full professor. In 2002, she was elected as its first female department chair and served in the position until 2010. Silverstein held many additional leadership roles throughout her career before retiring in 2022.

Her research focused on water and wastewater treatment process analysis, and throughout her career she has championed the increased participation and positions in leadership roles of women and underrepresented groups in engineering.

"Diversity and inclusion was a career-long driver of my work and a major source of personal fulfillment," she said.

Her advice for aspiring engineers navigating challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion is to foster a community of friends and family for mutual support and inspiration.

“Don’t be ruled by fear of failure or disapproval," she said. "Enlarge your sense of humor.”

Silverstein received the Distinguished Engineering Educator award from the Society of Women Engineers in 2000 and has a Distinguished Professorship at the University of Michigan named after her, among many other accolades.

Reflecting on her journey, she credits her family as a major source of inspiration.

"As teachers and public servants, they instilled in me a strong commitment to creating positive change and serving others," she said.

During Women's History Month, we honor Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein, who forged an unconventional path that helped pave the way for women in 91��ý’s College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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Professorship at the University of Michigan named for JoAnn Silverstein

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 19:30:18 +0000

Professorship at the University of Michigan named for JoAnn Silverstein Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 07/22/2021 - 13:30 Jeff Zehnder

Professor JoAnn Silverstein has received a unique honor: a professorship named in her honor at the University of Michigan.

Silverstein, who is a full professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering is being recognized for her work as a female leader in environmental engineering.

She was one of the first women to earn a PhD in environmental engineering and the first female engineering professor to join the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors.

"One of the most important themes of my academic career is to increase the participation, and position in leadership roles, of women and people of color underrepresented in engineering," Silverstein said. "I have been really fortunate to have had the opportunity to help achieve that as a department chair, program director and associate dean for faculty advancement – either as an example who may motivate other women to take on leadership roles or as an active promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring and development at 91��ý and outside the university. I also think that the presence of more women in leadership roles is an overall benefit to the entire university."

The JoAnn Silverstein Distinguished University Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan will be held by Nancy G. Love, who requested it be named in Silverstein's honor.

"I am very honored by the recognition," Silverstein said. "The credit really belongs to Professor Nancy Love. Nancy and I have known each other for many years, through our mutual interest in biological wastewater treatment research, and for our participation in the environmental engineering academic and professional communities. We also share the distinction of being the first women who chaired engineering departments in our respective schools, Nancy at Michigan and me at 91��ý."

Silverstein has been a faculty member at 91��ý since 1982. She holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in civil engineering, all from the University of California, Davis, and a BA in Psychology from Stanford.

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JoAnn Silverstein News

Women's History Month: Honoring Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein

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Professorship at the University of Michigan named for JoAnn Silverstein

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