Livengood honored with Alumni Achievement Award

Nov 18, 2025

Nine adults wearing suits, dresses, and award medals stand in a line on a stage. The backdrop says C.M.U. Alumni Awards.

Source: Carnegie Mellon University

During its 125 year history, Carnegie Mellon University has proven what can be accomplished when talented, driven people put their hearts in the work. The 75th annual Alumni Awards, presented during Homecoming Weekend, honor individuals who embody that legacy of impact and service to others.

"What a milestone year to cheer on this incredible group of Alumni Award honorees! Their drive, creativity and generosity light the way for every Tartan," says Joanna D. Lovering, president of the CMU Alumni Association Board.

Chemical engineering alumna Joanna M. Livengood ('80, '91) is among this year's recipients of the Alumni Achievement Award. An accomplished civil service leader, Livengood played a pivotal role in driving scientific and technological advancements that address the nation's energy, national security, public health, and environmental concerns.

My engineering degrees from Carnegie Mellon served as a springboard to a deeply rewarding career.

Joanna M. Livengood

During her 40-year career with the U.S. Department of Energy, she has conducted research on air pollution control and acid rain, managed clean coal technology demonstration projects, and led government-industry partnerships in electricity generation and transmission.

"I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award in recognition of my lifetime accomplishments in service to the nation," says Livengood. "My engineering degrees from Carnegie Mellon served as a springboard to a deeply rewarding career, enabling me to take a significant leadership role in advancing scientific discoveries and technological innovations at our world-class national laboratories."

  • Two women stand together smiling.
    Ruth Baltus (‘79, ‘82) and Joanna Livengood (‘80, ‘91). Image source: Carnegie Mellon University
  • Joanna Livengood stands at a podium smiling.
    Image source: Carnegie Mellon University
  • Joanna Livengood stands pointing at a white wall with names and dates written in black marker.
  • Four adults wearing suits stand for a photo.
    Joanna Livengood with College of Engineering leadership: Burcu Akinci, Carl Laird, and Vijayakumar Bhagavatula

    • After being promoted to the federal Senior Executive Service, Livengood distinguished herself through her leadership at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory. Her success at both laboratories led to other special assignments, including a multi-year effort to safeguard special nuclear material at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as well as the nuclear decontamination of the former New Brunswick Laboratory and other radiological facilities at Argonne.

    In 2019, she was asked to serve as the Office of Science's acting deputy director for field operations, overseeing 500 federal staff, 15 senior executives, and 10 national laboratories.

    She recently completed a special assignment as a senior visiting fellow with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), where she supported joint projects between the NAE and the American Society of Engineering Education that focused on transforming U.S. engineering curriculum to address rapidly evolving 21st century challenges and further access to engineering careers.

    Livengood has been honored with a Presidential Meritorious Rank Award, a Secretary of Energy Excellence Award, and a Secretary of Energy Achievement Award for her leadership. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics from Mary Washington College and a master's degree and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon. She is also a proud lifetime member of CMU's Order of the May.

    Read the full story recognizing all 10 alumni award honorees from across the university.