National Academy of Engineers Elects Alum Barb Filas

Barb Filas, who graduated with a degree in mining engineering in 1978, was recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Filas is a longtime member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, and served as the organization's first female president. 

Filas currently works to help young women through the mining industry and provides mentorship for them to take on leadership roles. Through the society, she is working to formalize mentoring programs.

"That's my current windmill," Filas said in a UA interview in 2013. "I never really appreciated the value of female mentoring until I started to know some of the younger girls. I think they are interested in some of the war stories us more seasoned girls have behind us."