Dr. Kristina Fields, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is being honored with the 2022 Dr. Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award. Named for the provost emeritus and former interim chancellor who served at UW-Platteville from 1998 until 2010, the award recognizes female employees and students who make a difference in the lives of others in the campus community.
“To be honored with this award is humbling,” said Fields. “There are so many people who make a difference to the campus community, I am thankful to be considered one of them.”
Fields joined UW-Platteville in 2007 and is active in empowering others on campus from supporting her students, colleagues, Women in STEM programs and participating in different department projects and committees. Throughout her 14 years at the university, Fields managed the curriculum for the UW-Platteville's Sky's the Limit pre-college outreach program for young women, offering hands-on STEM exposure through projects with faculty, students and industry professionals. She is currently leading the Construction Confidence Project aimed at providing professional development to all students working in construction-focused careers in the areas of diversity and inclusion, professional and career skills and technical skills.
“Women matter. Our talents, approach and dreams are different and important to include in the classroom, teams, friendships, community leadership and companies,” said Fields. “Women represent half the population, yet in many professions, STEM, for example, the percentage of women is low. I believe by asking women and men to share their actual day-to-day interactions, experiences, thoughts, challenges and successes, we can learn how better to work together to solve problems.”
Fields earned her doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University. She will be recognized at the university’s convocation on Thursday, Sept. 1.
“Thank you to my dedicated colleagues and students at UW-Platteville, Michigan Tech, city of Platteville, and my family and friends who continually support me in my quest to improve the quality of life for everyone,” said Fields. “I am especially grateful for Dr. Christina Curras, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, for being my mentor and providing so many opportunities for me. Thank you also to Tammy Salmon-Stephens, senior director of the College of Engineering, Math and Science Student Success Programs, for teaching me the importance of developing relationships. Both these women continuously work to provide positive experiences for our women STEM students, and I am thankful to be a part of these efforts.”