Mary Beth Laychak Wins 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award
These are just a few of the words used by members of our community to describe Mary Beth Laychak, who was recently recognized with the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award. As Director of Communications and Community Engagement at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Mary Beth has demonstrated her commitment to providing authentic educational experiences for Hawaiʻi’s young people, and in particular, empowering young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“From grade school to graduate school, young women look to Mary Beth for her guidance and support, which she provides enthusiastically,” said Doug Simons, Director of the Institute for Astronomy. “Mary Beth provides support for young women through the example she sets and the opportunities she creates.”
The ATHENA Leadership Award is a global award given to individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of professional excellence, contributes their time and energy to improving the lives for others, and actively empowers women to realize their full leadership potential. The Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce organized this year’s award program and recognized Mary Beth for her contributions to our community during an award ceremony at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center.
One of Mary Beth’s most significant contributions has been her leadership of the Maunakea Scholars program. As the first astronomy education program of its kind, Maunakea Scholars provides students with opportunities to pursue their scientific interests and conduct their own research using the telescopes at the Maunakea Observatories. Mary Beth directs the entire program and leads a team of University of Hawaiʻi graduate students who provide mentorship to program participants. Over a thousand students have participated in the Maunakea Scholars program to date, and hundreds have received observation time. Mary Beth has personally mentored hundreds of young women who have taken part in the Maunakea Scholars program, helping to launch their own careers.
“I’m incredibly honored. The women who have won this award before me are women who make change on this island, and I have tremendous respect for that. I’m lucky to work with the people I work with, many of them younger than me, and I’m excited to see the change they create. I hope to nominate wonderful women I work with in the future.”
In addition to steering the Maunakea Scholars program, Mary Beth drives several other community engagement programs that seek to deepen bonds between the astronomy community and the public. Mary Beth organizes the annual Solar System Walk in Waimea, has expanded our Journey Through the Universe program to schools throughout North Hawaiʻi Island, and helps coordinate the Akamai Internship program that connects local college students with real-world professional experiences at the Maunakea Observatories. She does this handily and enthusiastically in addition to her day-to-day responsibilities at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.
“I am so truly grateful to Mary Beth for her commitment to excellence in education,” said Alison English, the Science Department Head at Honokaʻa High School. “She is always there, day or night, to help out with student questions about their research or even give college advice or pep talks. My students look to her as ʻohana.”
Beyond Mary Beth’s steadfast commitment to empowering Hawaiʻi Island’s young people, she is a force for change in improving the lives of her community members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mary Beth spearheaded the Keiki Heroes program, designed to provide educational programming and resources to help children understand what was going on with the pandemic. She also volunteers her time with several community organizations, including the Waimea Community Association, the Hawaiʻi County Workforce Development Board, the School and Community Council for Honokaʻa Elementary, Waimea Elementary, and Paʻauilo Schools, the American Astronomical Society, and more.
From everyone at Maunakea Observatories, we want to congratulate Mary Beth for accomplishments and express our deep gratitude for all she does – and continues to do – for our community.
