On January 15, 2025, Atherton High School hosted an event aimed at addressing the persistent racial and gender disparities in STEM fields. The school welcomed a diverse panel of STEM professionals, offering minority students a unique opportunity to engage with successful role models in their chosen field.

The Diversity Challenge

Recent data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics reveals critical insights into the ongoing challenges in STEM diversity. As of 2021, women comprised only 35% of the STEM workforce, while underrepresented minorities accounted for 24% of STEM jobs. These statistics underscore the importance of initiatives like Atherton's panel in inspiring the next generation of diverse STEM professionals.

An Innovative Approach

Spearheaded by dedicated Atherton teacher Mr. Alan Williams, the event was designed to ignite enthusiasm for students in engineering pathways, particularly among minority groups. Academy Coach Kyle Chandler noted, "Many students begin the engineering pathway excited, but then the excitement fizzles out, and they cannot continue."

“Don’t let anybody put you in a box. I refuse to be in a box.”

— Norman Seawright, Jr.

In a thoughtful and innovative approach, teachers stepped back to allow students to first hear about the career pathways of the guest speakers. This created an open forum for students to share their thoughts and experiences regarding the program. By facilitating this dialogue, the strategy ensured that valuable feedback about the barriers to continuing in the Academy could be effectively communicated back to the educators.

The carefully curated panel featured an impressive lineup of minority voices in STEM, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences:

Norman Seawright, Jr., a retired UPS pilot
Allison Bowman-Rogers, an engineer at UPS
Antoine Terry, Team Leader, Engineer Design Services at LG&E and KU Energy LLC
Abdullah Mahmoud, Pilot at UPS Airlines
Jermaine Bibb, Media Public Relations Coordinator at Kentucky Department of Aviation
Candice McHargue, Aircraft Maintenance Control Supervisor at UPS
Lanord Stewart, Construction Materials Department Manager at Terracon
Iruoghene Oruahwo from C&I Engineering
Raquiem Soto Moore from UPS Airlines

Turning Passions into Provisions

Norman Seawright, Jr., a retired pilot, set an inspiring tone for the event with his powerful message: "Turn your passions into provisions." He challenged students to consider, "What would wake you up without an alarm clock and then enthusiastically get out of bed to do?" Encouraging them to break free from societal constraints, Seawright advised, "Don't let anybody put you in a box. I refuse to be in a box."

Allison Bowman-Rogers echoed this sentiment, speaking about the joy of working in engineering. She stated, "You can make your dream a reality," emphasizing her love for logic and problem-solving and illustrating how these interests translated into a fulfilling career.

Networking and Opportunities

The event extended beyond mere speeches, featuring breakout sessions where students could interact directly with the professionals. These small-group conversations allowed for personalized advice and inspiration. Candice McHargue advised, "Take advantage of your classes and projects," while Lanord Stewart reminded students, "Your teachers are trying to get you to the next level."

Antoine Terry highlighted the importance of networking, especially in Louisville. "Louisville is a networking town," he noted, advising students to start building professional connections early. This advice was practically demonstrated when Norman Seawright showed students how to use LinkedIn, emphasizing the platform's role in professional networking.

Jermaine Bibb, working in PR for the Department of Aviation, expressed his wish for a similar program during his high school years. He encouraged students to "take advantage of every free license the school offers, like a drone license," highlighting the unique opportunities available through the Academies of Louisville program.

Abdullah Mahmoud offered valuable perspective on career choices, stating, "Don't make it about money. Make it about your passion." He encouraged students interested in flying to take classes at Bowman field, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one's interests.

“Don’t make it about money. Make it about your passion.”

— Abdullah Mahmoud

Impact and Future

The impact of the event was immediately evident. A group of girls stayed behind to talk with Allison and Candice about their careers, while other students asked for business cards from the professionals.

Following the panel, some of the guest speakers toured the engineering classrooms, expressing amazement at the facilities. Raquiem Soto Moore, upon seeing the 3D printer, exclaimed, "They didn't order that off of Amazon! That's industry grade." Lanord Stewart summed up the sentiment shared by many of the professionals: "I wish I had this type of guidance in high school."

As these students return to their classes with renewed enthusiasm and clearer vision for their futures, the impact of this panel will undoubtedly ripple through their academic journeys and beyond. The success of this event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and real-world connections in education, paving the way for a more diverse and dynamic future in STEM.