This talk highlights how persistence fuels meaningful change, both in community outreach promoting STEM education for underrepresented groups and in navigating the challenges of being a Black woman in engineering. It underscores that showing up consistently, despite obstacles, not only drives progress but also creates opportunities and representation for those who follow. A mentor, adviser, and community activist, Dr. Whitney Gaskins has dedicated her life to inspiring others and advancing philanthropic endeavors. Dr. Gaskins serves as the Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement in the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science, where she is the only African-American female currently teaching on the faculty. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration in Quantitative Analysis, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering/Engineering Education. In her role as Associate Dean, Dr. Gaskins has transformed the summer bridge program to enhance student support and retention and has cultivated partnerships with local school districts to strengthen the high school-to-college pathway. In 2009, Dr. Gaskins founded The Gaskins Foundation, a non-profit organization that launched STEMulates, a year-round, free-of-charge K-12 program designed to introduce students to math and science. STEMulates currently operates in five cities. In recognition of her work, she was named the 2017 K-12 Champion by the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates (NAMEPA) and received the 2021 Cincinnati Lifts Inclusion and Minority Business Award. Dr. Gaskins has been actively involved in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) since 2003. With over 30,000 members, the organization strives to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact their communities. In 2013, Dr. Gaskins served as the Annual Convention Planning Chairperson, orchestrating the second-largest Annual Convention in NSBE history, with over 9,200 attendees, and raising more than $3,000,000 to support programmatic efforts. She continues to serve as an advisor to NSBE and was honored with the 2015 Janice A. Lumpkin Educator of the Year Golden Torch Award. Additional accolades include being recognized as a 2019 Greater Cincinnati Black History Maker, receiving the Dr. Terry Kershaw Faculty Excellence Award, and earning the 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Cincinnati for her innovative honors course, Sticky Innovation. Dr. Gaskins was named to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 and received the 2021 Career Woman of Achievement Award. In 2022, she was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, a Leader in Engineering Education by the Women Engineering Proactive Network, and a Woman Who Means Business by the Cincinnati Business Courier. In 2023, she received the Engineering Change Award from the Peer Group and an Educational Leadership Award at the Women of Color in STEM Conference. Her 2024 recognitions include being named Woman of the Year by the University of Cincinnati’s Women’s Center, a Changemaker by the Cincinnati Herald, and a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. The Gaskins Foundation and its collaboration with General Electric for the GE Next Engineers program also received National Society of Black Engineers Golden Torch Awards. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Gaskins has served as President of both her undergraduate chapter (Omicron) and the Sigma Omega graduate chapter. Her leadership earned her the Outstanding President Award twice, and her chapter received numerous accolades under her guidance. She is also a member of The Links, Incorporated and an international Scott-Hawkins Leadership Fellow. Dr. Gaskins currently serves as the National President of NAMEPA, Inc. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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