STORIES OF STEWARDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams
University of Texas at Dallas
Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams
Georgia State University
2026 ASEE CONFERENCE | AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR ENGINEERING EDU
DISTINGUISHED PANEL: Stewardship and Leadership: Navigating the Challenges for Women of Color in STE
Throughout history, women of color leaders have spearheaded large-scale transformations in the makeup of STEM higher education (McGee et al., 2022; Nixon, 2017). However, existing scholarship fails to capture the change efforts produced by women of color in STEM higher education (Patton & Haynes, 2018). As a consequence, women of color’s change efforts are ignored, hindering STEM higher education and aspiring women of color leaders from accessing the knowledge and unique contributions of women of color change agents (Dotson, 2011; Patton & Haynes, 2018). The goal of this distinguished lecture is to bridge this gap by bringing together women of color professionals who have led change efforts in engineering and computing education. Panelists will share personal narratives from academia and industry, highlighting themes such as authentic leadership, navigating systemic barriers, and building supportive networks. These stories offer actionable insights for cultivating inclusive environments, expanding access, and preparing the next generation of STEM leaders.
ASEE SESSION JUNE 22, 2026
This distinguished panel brings together the 19 powerful voices of women of color who are transforming STEM education through stewardship, leadership, and advocacy. Anchored in the forthcoming book Sisters Transforming STEM: Women of Color and Collaborative Leadership (Wayne State University Press), the session explores strategic partnerships, mentorship models, and leadership practices that drive inclusive excellence in engineering and computing.
interdisciplinary stem partnerships
PARTNER & LEVERAGE RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
As co-editors of the Partner and Leverage book project (forthcoming), Drs. Stephanie Adams and Stephanie Evans offer this collection as an opportunity to reflect on the foundations of women of color in the STEM fields. In this ongoing partnership, we engage knowledge about the history of collaboration in ways that mentor the next generation of faculty, researchers, administrators, and industry leaders, particularly in engineering fields.
Authors in Partner and Leverage have specialties in a multitude of engineering disciplines, including aerospace, biomedical, biomolecular, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, operations, mathematical, mechanical, and systems engineering. Their training and experience also encompass a broad range of adjacent disciplines, ranging from education, humanities, and information technology to chemistry, physics and zoology. The scholars in this research collective have extensive experience as administrators, researchers, and international industry leaders. This collective is a living embodiment of Stephanie Adams' vision of how to partner and leverage in ways that builds sustainable scholarly communities.
This book project builds on the Chair at the Table Network, developed by Drs. Stephanie Evans and Tracey Sharpley-Whiting and the publication follows the book Dear Department Chair: Letters from Black Women Leaders to the Next Generation, edited by Stephanie Evans, Stephanie Shonekan, and Stephanie Adams (Wayne State University Press, 2023).
