The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) is proud to congratulate alumna Sienna Meekhof (Geology, 2021) on receiving the 2026 AIPG John Stewart Memorial Early Career Professional Award, a prestigious national honor recognizing outstanding early career geologists who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to advancing the profession.
Established in 2019, the award honors the legacy of John Stewart by recognizing those who not only excel professionally, but also actively mentor and support fellow early career geologists. Sienna exemplifies these qualities through her continued dedication to both her work and the larger geoscience community.
Since graduating from Michigan Tech, Sienna has built an impressive, impactful career. She currently serves as a Senior Staff Geologist in the geotechnical group at SME USA, a consulting firm in the Midwest. In her role, she specializes in geophysical surveys, including methods such as seismic and resistivity to support geotechnical investigations, as well as trenchless utility installation projects for pipelines and water infrastructure. Her work plays a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and innovative engineering solutions.
Sienna’s journey began during her time here at MTU, where she gained hands-on experience as a tour guide at Adventure Mine, a research assistant, and a geotechnician co-op at SME USA, the same company where she now works full time. These experiences helped shape her technical expertise and passion for applied geology.
“Keep an open mind as you are developing your career- if you talk to any geoscience professional (or really any professional for that matter) they will tell you career growth is not linear and they often find themselves in a position they wouldn’t have imagined at the beginning of their career, or while in school.”
Beyond her professional work, Sienna has remained deeply involved with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) since her student days. She currently serves as Treasurer for the AIPG Michigan Section and contributes at the national level, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to supporting fellow geologists. She will continue this leadership trajectory as the Section President in 2028.
Sienna stresses the importance of joining a professional organization, encouraging students to find the right fit to help them blossom in their chosen field.
“Join a professional organization! I recommend AIPG because they offer a lot of PDH/CEU credit hours, but they also provide additional licenses/certificates. Ultimately though, it’s just important to be a part of a community that can support you professionally and can even help you grow personally.”
In addition to her career and professional service, Sienna is pursuing an MS in Geology online while working full time, reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and growth.
Sienna’s achievements highlight the strength of a GMES education and the impact our alumni continue to make in the field. Her passion, leadership, and commitment to mentoring others truly embody the spirit of this award.
Congratulations, Sienna! We are proud to celebrate your success and look forward to all that you will accomplish in the years ahead.