Join our university presidential panelists as they answer audience questions about their successes and challenges around preparing students for careers in STEM, while our corporate presidents share what today’s opportunities look like for STEM graduates.
Panelists:
Dr. Carolyn Henderson is the chief academic officer and Dean of Instruction at Drake State Community and Technical College. She has twenty-four (24) years of experience in higher education and community services. In addition, she has vast work experience as an administrator, educator, mentor, and advisor. Dr. Henderson also has extensive higher educational experiences centered on faculty development, curriculum development, student success, retention, recruitment, and job readiness and placement. She also has an extensive background in curriculum development, teaching and learning, supervisory skills, budget management, grants management, SACSCOC, and other industry-recognized accreditation for the workforce. Before becoming the Dean of Instruction, Dr. Henderson served as the Division Chair for General and Developmental Education and a Math Faculty at various institutions. In this role, Dr. Henderson focused on identifying ways to increase success for students who began their academic endeavors needing remediation. She also helped identify ways to eliminate barriers that hindered students’ success.
Over the last twenty-four (24) years in higher education, Dr. Henderson’s passion for faculty development and student success, retention, and development has grown tremendously. This growth has enhanced her administrative and organizational knowledge, instructional strategies, and practices by training faculty and engaging them in continuous professional development and collaboration.
Dr. Henderson holds a list of awards and recognitions in Higher Education Leadership for faculty development, program innovation and growth, community impact and curriculum development. She is committed and passionate about ensuring access to quality service and education for all who desire to learn.
Dr. Mark Brown, was appointed the tenth president and CEO of Tuskegee University. His tenure began on July 1, 2024. Dr Brown’s selection was the first time in Tuskegee’s nearly 143-year history that an alum was selected to lead the university. This retired Air Force Major General agree to take the helm after the retirement of Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, the university’s ninth president. His extensive executive experience includes the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and the Eli and Edythe Broad Academy for Urban School Superintendents, now hosted at the Yale School of Management.
Kimberly Gaines, based in Huntsville, AL, US, is currently a Technical Service Desk Lead at Leidos.
Dr. Ryan Carpenter serves as a Special Advisor for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, he served as a Program Analyst at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He has also served at the National Security Council, the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and the Department of Defense.
Elder Robert Edwards is a minister and leader with over 40 years of service to the Seventh-day Adventist church. With a passion for spreading the gospel, serving his community, advancing education, and working with families, Elder Edwards has made significant contributions as a church pastor, youth minister, conference evangelist, community program administrator, and educator. He has served the Regional Work in both the South Central and Allegheny East Conferences. He earned both a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Andrews University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oakwood College.
Elder Edwards returns to a second tour of duty at his Alma Mater, Oakwood University, where from 1994-1998, he served as Director of Enrollment Management. In 2023, he accepted an invitation to return as our Vice-President for Enrollment Services and Retention, effective January 1, 2024. This University role allows him to merge his passion for ministry with a focus on education and student success. As an administrator, he brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to nurturing the educational and spiritual growth of students within the Seventh-day Adventist tradition.
Before coming to Oakwood, from 2018 to 2023, Elder Edwards served as the Vice-President for Black Ministries for the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Elder Edwards provided strategic leadership, guidance, and support for the ministry. He has played a vital role in fostering spiritual growth, community engagement, and empowerment within the Black Adventist community, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many. In this role, the Vice President for Black Ministries worked as a member of the executive administration team to accomplish its mission of expanding the outreach to the cross-cultural communities of the Southeastern California Conference territory. As Vice President, he also led the Community Services, Stewardship, Retirees, and Prison Ministries Departments. Elder Edwards is accustomed to reaching out to communities and supervising personnel in accomplishing the goals of the institution. Elder Edwards was responsible for the supervision of 22 pastors, 15 churches, and over 10,000 members, overseeing the territories of Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego counties.
As a minister, Elder Edwards is known for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life and to inspire them to live a faithful and purposeful life. His compassionate and empathetic approach has made him a respected figure within the Seventh-day Adventist community and beyond.
Elder Edwards is married to Dr. Denise Henderson Edwards, an accomplished school administrator on all grade levels, and current Supervisor of Teacher Education and University Professor at the University of California Riverside since January 2017. They are the proud parents of two adult daughters and three amazing grandchildren.
Moderator:
Tamara Terry is the Director of Academic Research Engagement and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Community Outreach Chair for RTI International. She is an experienced university collaborations leader with strong relationships in North Carolina and nationwide. She sits in RTI’s University Collaboration Office and is responsible for regional engagement with the UNC System and Duke University and leads the RTI University Scholars Program. As a proud North Carolina Central University alumna, she has the privilege of being the inaugural Relationship Manager for RTI’s strategic partnership with the university. Leaning on the success of the NCCU-RTI partnership, she co-directs the strategic framework to partner and engage with several other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation to create mutually beneficial opportunities between the universities and RTI.