GCSP Mixer Sessions

Special thanks to all the industry and other partners who are volunteering their time to host these sessions, field questions, and offer space for these conversations to take place.

Engineering Rotational and Non-Rotational Programs at Carrier

Daenon Gault-Vasconez, Senior Manager of Partnership Programs

Daenon L. Gault-Vasconez, is Senior Manager of Rotational Programs and University Relations Manager and serves on the Corporate Talent Acquisition Diversity Council of Carrier. In his capacity as Senior Manager, he leads the company’s efforts in establishing strategic, corporate relationships, with institutions of higher education, thus creating and establishing talent networks which are symbiotic partnerships to Carrier and the institution. Harnessing the power of these relationships, he is motivated and driven to educate, create and support opportunities, which support the DEI efforts of Carrier, aligned to the three tenants of the Carrier Way – Vision. Values. Culture.

Daenon joined Carrier in the fall of 2019 and brings with him, more than 20 years of talent acquisition experience and DEI knowledge, as a practitioner, with EQ sensitivity training and skill. In his tenure at Carrier, he has helped design, create, and establish, four, two-year, rotational, Leadership Development Programs (LDP’s) in Engineering, Digital Technology, Finance and Operations. Capitalizing on his DEI skills and vast networks, he created the Focus School Program within Carrier; where partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions (MSI’s) Spelman College and North Carolina A&T University, two historically-black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) were established. Cementing these partnerships, he designed three unique scholarship programs, affording opportunities to minority students to complete their engineering degrees at one of the Carrier Focus Schools, known as the Carrier Scholarship.

Daenon earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, from Bradford College. Empowered by community activism, Daenon enjoys giving back to the community. Daenon has served on the Diversity Advisory Council of Hillsborough County, Florida and currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the University of California, Riverside; the University of Connecticut; Texas Tech University and Beta Gamma Sigma.

Jamie Earnheart, Early Career Manager

Jamie Lee Earnheart is one of the Early Careers Managers at Carrier. Jamie has been with Carrier for three years and has previously been a human resources business partner with our refrigeration business. She has over 12 years in the human resources field working in such industries such as manufacturing , distribution, and rail. In her current role Jamie is responsible for the leadership and intern programs , as well as assisting with recruiting efforts within the programs.

Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Penn State University and a master’s degree in human resources from Misericordia University.

Andrea Morrison, Senior Director, Human Resources for Engineering and Digital

Andrea is an experienced Human Resources Executive with a demonstrated history of working in multiple industries. Skilled in Strategic Business Partnership, High Velocity Talent Acquisition, Organizational Design, Talent Development, Succession Planning, Change Management, Employee Relations and Continuous Improvement.

Enhancing Your Engineering Career with Legal & Business Knowledge

The role of the modern engineer is changing. Prepare for a variety of issues beyond the technical with the interdisciplinary skills learned in the Master of Science in Law program.

Leslie Oster is a Clinical Associate Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law. Before coming to Northwestern, Leslie worked in a variety of administrative and academic positions in legal education. She was the Dean of Students at Berkeley’s law school for eleven years, and also held positions as Special Assistant to the Dean at the University of San Diego School of Law and Assistant Dean for Strategic Planning at the University of Texas at Austin. She has taught a variety of skills classes and classes on the courts, as an instructor at UC Hastings, Director of Legal Writing at UC Berkeley, Director of Lawyering Skills at the University of San Diego, and a Senior Lecturer at UT-Austin. Prior to her career in legal education, Leslie worked as a city attorney and clerked in the California Court of Appeal; she received her law and undergraduate degrees from UC Berkeley. At Northwestern, Leslie is teaching Medical Innovation and working on new academic initiatives, including the Master of Science in Law degree, a master’s degree for STEM-trained students.

Service Wire - Electrical Industry - Wire & Cable Manufacturing

The electrical industry is vast and somewhat unknown to many people. It is comprised of manufacturing and distribution companies that provide products, services, and solutions to contractors, engineers, and end users. The transmission and distribution of electricity is critical to the growth of our infrastructure and cities. Join Mike Madjidi, Director of Sales of he answers questions about the electrical industry from a real world perspective.

Mike's role as Director of Sales involves wire and cable project management in the commercial, industrial, and utility electrical markets. He operate with critical timelines while working with many individuals in manufacturing and distribution to accomplish project goals and organize people and resources to achieve success. He enjoys creating strong working relationships with his customers and contributing to the growth of our cities and communities.

Mastering Conflict in the AEC Workspace

Mastering Conflict in the AEC Workspace is a demonstration to understand the types of conflict, gains, insights into the Ideal Conflict Inflection Point(s), how to promote constructively and avoid destructive behaviors. Learn about the value of vulnerability-based trust in building cohesive team relations to respect take on the challenge to become and remain healthy. We are a D/E & I organization.

Michael Soler facilitates in organizational workforce development, coaching of individuals and teams, to improve outcomes, trust, organizational and financial health. The staff of professionals facilitate in cohesive team and leader development, selection, coaching, and application of metrics tools to implement a practical attainable vision to execute and improve for the better. Call to action often includes resolving communications and structural dysfunctions and replace with inspiring progress and measurable results. These "can-do" practical solutions improve communications, competitiveness, and workforce solutions with products, services, and assessment learning platforms. We are strategic development leaders of Executive Workforce Solutions office locations in Riverside, MO, Overland Park, KS, Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, and San Diego, CA. EWC provides workforce services in healthcare, architecture, engineering, construction industries, and government. As a subject matter expert in strategic retreats, cohesive team, and individual development, Mr. Soler is credentialed in DiSC Workplace, 5 Behaviors of Cohesive Teams, a Six-Sigma Black Belt recipient, and Lean Kata instructor. He has led and co-led facilitative training for over 150 organizations in organizational effectiveness to digital transformation.
Soler's previous experience includes Senior Vice President and General Manager at Lee Hecht Harrison and Managing Principal at DeFrain Mayer. Mr. Soler is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, receiving a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Public Service with graduate studies at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in City Regional Planning and Master of Science in Education at the University of Missouri.

Working in the Automotive and EV Space - Established to Start Ups

What to think about when deciding where you want to take your first job.

Darlene Deane is an experienced supply chain and product management professional with expertise in risk management, supplier auditing, and supplier launch, primarily in the US but also extensive experience in Europe, Mexico, and Asia.
During her 30-year career at Ford Motor Company, Darlene held multiple roles in supplier quality and launch including the Ford Mustang and Ford Explorer leading her teams to beat their quality, cost and timing objectives. She has audited or led crisis teams in almost every aspect of the vehicle not related to engine components with hundreds of positive supplier reviews. Darlene is an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer and served two terms on the Board of Directors and as a Regional Director. She holds a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from University of Michigan – Dearborn and an undergraduate engineering degree in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University.
After Ford, she started her own consulting company and has worked for various clients including working in multiple start ups in the EV space including Rivian and her current EV start up client in California.

Joining GCSP - Proposal Q&A for Prospective Schools

Join Katie Evans from the GCSP Proposal Review Committee for an open networking session for prospective GCSP schools.

Dr. Katie Evans is Professor of Mathematics and the Dean of Science and Engineering at Houston Baptist University (HBU). Prior to HBU, she was on faculty at Louisiana Tech University for 16 years in the College of Engineering and Science, where she was on the faculty and served in various administrative roles. Dr. Evans serves on the Interim Executive Committee and as Chair of the New Programs Committee for the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, founded by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Morehead State University, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics at Virginia Tech. After a postdoctoral position in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University, she joined Louisiana Tech, where she is now Professor Emerita. Dr. Evans is passionate about interdisciplinary efforts to provide innovative and applicable learning experiences to students.

GCSP Alumni Organization

Join us to learn more about the newly formed GCSP Alumni Organization and continue to solve these grand challenges in your post-grad opportunities.

Co-presenter Simon Brooks: 2021 Robert D. Lynch Award recipient Simon Brooks graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Chemical Engineering (’21) and is currently working full-time as a Sustainable Engineering Consultant at Ramboll while pursuing his MS in Sustainable Engineering. Simon participated in solving the Grand Challenge of Intersectional Sustainability while at Villanova. Simon strives to lead with a “puzzle-builder” approach, thinking innovatively to inclusively bring out the strengths of those around him. He was the event curator and co-host of TEDxVillanovaU’s 2021 conference: Solve for Why, he serves as the Mentorship Chair for Villanova’s Engineering Entrepreneurship Mentorship Network, and he co-founded Villanova’s Engineering Well-Being Committee. He considers mental health and well-being one of the most critical aspects of sustainability and has continued his efforts in this space by helping to lead Ramboll’s Well-Being employee network group. His undergraduate research focused on the synthesis, modeling, and implementation of carbon capture sorbents. In his free time, Simon enjoys editing books, playing the guitar and piano, cooking, and competing in volleyball and basketball.

GCSP Alumni Organization

Join us to learn more about the newly formed GCSP Alumni Organization and continue to solve these grand challenges in your post-grad opportunities.

Co-presenter Randy Deinlein: Randy Deinlein joined GCSP in 2018 while attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. He also received an A.A. in Automotive Technology from Lincoln College of Technology in 2014. Currently, he examines patents at the USPTO office in Alexandria, Virginia. His passions include reading, fitness, helping things change for the better whether it be people, policies, or parts, and being an activist for climate change laws as he volunteers for an organization called Citizens' Climate Lobbyist where he lobbies with congressmen for adding a tax on carbon. Randy believes that the grand challenge of Advancing Personalized Learning is the most important to achieve because it will significantly affect all the rest. He has volunteered with the GCSP Alumni since 2020 and is excited to see what kind of impacts it will make on our society and world.

GCSP Leader Connections

Join Amy Trowbridge to connect with other faculty, staff, administrators in the GCSP network to discuss and share best practices, challenges, collaborations, etc.

Amy Trowbridge is a Senior Lecturer in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU) and is the Director of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) at ASU. Amy also serves as chair of the Interim Executive Committee and helps new schools to develop GCSPs as part of the New Programs committee. She is also actively involved in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), focused on students’ development of entrepreneurial mindset. Amy received the 2019 KEEN Rising Star award from KEEN for her efforts in encouraging students in developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Amy has contributed to the development of an interdisciplinary grand challenges focused course and introduction to engineering course in both in-person and MOOC formats. She is interested in curricular and co-curricular experiences that broaden students’ perspectives and enhance student learning, and the use of digital portfolios for students to showcase and reflect on their experiences.

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