Dr. Vallie Guthrie, director of the Greensboro Area Mathematics and Science Education Center (GAMSEC) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and University of North Carolina at Greensboro, was one of 11 recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) who were panelists in the 2008 Mentoring Workshop for current and future Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) faculty.

The panel shared successful strategies for recruiting and mentoring strategies for increasing the number of STEM faculty who are available for recruitment and retention in STEM disciplines at the postsecondary institutions, nationally. The National Science Foundation is the funding agency for the PAESMEM and the Workshop for STEM faculty, graduate students and post-doctorate students.

Guthrie has been a faculty member at N.C. A&T since 1967. She received an individual award in 2000 for her mentoring of pre-college, undergraduates, graduate students, K-12 teachers of mathematics, science, engineering and technology and peers at A&T and throughout the USA, Canada and the Caribbean Islands. The award included a commemorative presidential certificate and a $10,000 grant for each individual.

President Bill Clinton established the award in 1996 to recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations that inspire and mentor young people to succeed in the fields of science, mathematics and engineering.