CoNECD Speakers
Monday (Breakfast)
Dr. Theresa A. Maldonado was appointed Vice President for Research & Innovation in March 2020. Before coming to UC, she served as Dean and Riter Professor of Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in July 2017. She also holds a tenured appointment as Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Dr. Maldonado’s academic career spans 29 years, including at four other universities: The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Health Science Center, and The University of Texas at Arlington, with nearly 20 years in various research strategic and administrative roles. She also served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at the Texas A&M University System and as founding director of the Texas A&M Energy Institute. Dr. Maldonado has extensive experience at the federal level in advancing engineering research, education, and commercialization initiatives. From Jan. 2011 to Oct. 2014, she served as a division director in the Engineering Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF). She was responsible for a $135M budget in support of interdisciplinary research centers, research translation, innovations in engineering education, special initiatives in support of military veterans, broadening participation in engineering, and workforce development programs
Monday (Lunch)
Dr. Calvin Mackie has inspired millions with his journey from remedial reading classes to a PhD in engineering. The internationally-recognized motivational speaker, inventor, entrepreneur, prominent African-American community leader, and former tenured Tulane professor is now changing lives through the advancement of STEM education for children and communities everywhere. Since 2013, STEM NOLA has engaged over 70,000+ students, mostly under-served low-income students, in hands-on STEM project-based learning. As our 2022 plenary speaker, his story and infectious delivery will excite you, inspire you, and motivate you to continue making your own difference in the world.
Tuesday (Breakfast)
In this session, Dr. Singh invites attendees to identify the barriers to their own liberation within engineering and computing diversity and to develop a plan to integrate liberation practices into their everyday lives that honors and uplifts their experiences of intersecting identities and interlocking privileges and oppressions. Attendees will then be invited to use this deep self-reflection on their own journeys towards liberation and freedom to engage in social change within their personal and professional communities.
Wednesday (Breakfast)
CoNECD Panel Discussion Among CAREER Awardees
CAREER Awards are among the most prestigious NSF awards provided to junior level faculty. These four each received a CAREER award in the area of Broadening Participation in Engineering. As we focus on moving research to practice, this Panel will provide information about the leading edge research being conducted and how they plan to move their research agenda forward.
