ASCE has honored Jennifer Sloan Ziegler, Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, BC.WRE, M.ASCE; Erin M. Steever, P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE; and Berrin Tansel, Ph.D., P.E., BC.WRE, F.EWRI, Dist.M.ASCE, with the 2026 William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award.
Sloan Ziegler is recognized for her sustained, varied, and impactful ASCE leadership that drives technical advancement in coastal management, actionable public policy and stakeholder engagement, professional development including becoming board certified, and member value through novel conference programming that appeals to younger members.
She has worked tirelessly to the benefit of those in this profession. Her servant leadership has been displayed throughout her various ASCE positions held and engagement activities. She dedicated her time to the ASCE Environmental and Water Resources Institute, or EWRI, for several years, working on committees, supporting the EWRI Congress, and eventually becoming the Institute’s president. She remains active chairing committees and supporting outreach programs. Her other leadership roles include becoming ASCE Region 5 Governor and serving as vice chair.
She served the Mississippi Section in a number of leadership positions including section president. She has been highly active in working with the Mississippi Section’s Younger Member Group and advancing the profession in the academic environment. She was part of the team who worked on publishing and promoting the 2020 Mississippi Infrastructure Report Card. She is a legislative advocate for her state and regularly attends the annual ASCE Legislative Fly-In.
In addition, she has collaborated with the Committee on Younger Members, the Leader Training Committee, Committee on Developing Leaders, and Awards Committee. Her service on the Energy, Environment, and Water Resources Policy Committee led to her serving as committee chair.
Steever is recognized for her dedicated service to ASCE, strengthening its mission and advancing its relevance across member communities through thoughtful advocacy, respect for institutional history, and steady, principled leadership that drives meaningful improvement.
Tansel is recognized for exemplary dedication to advancing ASCE’s history, traditions, and technical excellence through pioneering research, impactful education, and sustained professional service that have enriched the Society’s legacy and inspired continued innovation in environmental engineering. Her sustained and exceptional impact on the profession spans decades and organizations. Her work has elevated the standards of engineering education, enhanced the skill sets of practicing engineers, and fostered the engagement of students and underrepresented groups in STEM. She is widely regarded as a tireless advocate for environmental stewardship, technical excellence, and innovations for improving the design and operation of water and wastewater treatment processes. Her influence has impacted practices across many organizations, including AEESP, AAEES, AEES, WEF, NCEES, ABET, and, of course, ASCE.
Tansel’s expertise has been nationally recognized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, where she was selected as a leading expert on oil spill science.
The William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award recognizes individuals or groups of individuals who are members of ASCE and who have made continuing efforts to promote appreciation for the history, tradition, developments and technical and professional activities of the Society.
