FRIB Homeland Security Officer receives 2016 Inspirational Woman of the Year Award

16 March 2016

FRIB Homeland Security Officer Melissa Congleton was honored by the MSU Women’s Resource Center as one of the recipients of the 2016 Inspirational Woman of the Year Award today. This recognition was created to celebrate and feature the accomplishments of women-identified faculty and staff at Michigan State University.

The Inspirational Woman of the Year Award honors three women who have demonstrated professional achievement, community engagement, or have created a culture of empowerment. The goal of the award is to elevate and advance MSU’s culture of appreciation for the courageous and empowering work of the women change agents at MSU.

“When I first found out I had won the award, I was very humbled that three of my mentors had recommended me for the award,” said Melissa. “To me, the real award is the reward I get from helping others, whether it be preparing for or helping to respond to emergencies, helping children work through their grief, or by working to end the cycle of homelessness.” 

This year’s award honors, in each category:

  • Professional Achievement: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Director, Pediatric Residency Program, Hurley Medical Center, and Assistant Professor, MSU Department of Pediatrics and Human Development
  • Community Engagement: Officer Melissa Congleton, MSU Police Department
  • Culture of Empowerment: Ms. Holly Rosen, Director, MSU Safe Place


“I feel privileged to have made it in a career in which I can serve others and make the world a better place every day,” said Melissa. “I hope to be an inspiration to others to go the extra mile to help someone else, too. The chances to pay our blessings forward are everywhere. You don’t have to be a police officer. We all have opportunities at the university and beyond to pay it forward every day.”

FRIB Laboratory Director Thomas Glasmacher said, “It’s an honor to congratulate Melissa on this award. She represents the laboratory positively and professionally through her work as homeland security officer, and we are fortunate to benefit from her skills and dedication.”

News