Jennifer Boykin, vice president of engineering and design for Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division, has received the 2016 YWCA Women of Distinction Award.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Jennifer and her accomplishments in the STEM and engineering fields,” said Mary Kate Andris, president and CEO, YWCA South Hampton Roads. “She has served as an outstanding role model for young women who want to pursue careers in engineering, therefore empowering women to believe they can succeed. We are pleased to recognize her as a 2016 YWCA South Hampton Roads Woman of Distinction.”
The award, presented to Boykin on April 28 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, honors women who have achieved, overcome and blazed a trail for other women through their professional leadership, volunteer efforts and civic involvement. The award considers honorees for contributions in 12 categories: arts, business, communications, education, finance, government, law, medicine, military, nonprofit, science and technology, and volunteerism.
Boykin was nominated in the science and technology category by Tricia Hudson, president of Strategic Solutions by Tricia.
“Jennifer is a role model for all women and has succeeded in her profession, which is an especially male-dominated environment,” Hudson said. “I have great respect for Jennifer for what she does in the Hampton Roads community to advance STEM education, encourage young girls to explore STEM-related professions, and serve at-risk populations by ensuring they have access to information, training and hands-on application in STEM-related fields.”
A shipbuilder since 1987, Boykin is responsible for all ship design, planning yard and topside construction and test engineering at Newport News. She has also served as vice president of quality, engineering services and process excellence; director of facilities and waterfront support; program manager for the nuclear engineering division; and construction superintendent for the aircraft carrier program during construction of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
