Episode Summary
Jasmine Suarez shared her journey in STEM, beginning with her studies in business at the University of Cincinnati, where she took technical courses in coding and HTML. She later transitioned from a job in the Federal Government to a role as a cybersecurity workforce ecosystems advisor for a woman-owned company. Jasmine Suarez emphasized the importance of real-world education and experience and her commitment to mentoring and speaking engagements to empower others. She also highlighted her advocacy for STEM education and awareness, and her mission to inspire underserved and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in STEM and cybersecurity.

Resilience and Mentorship in Overcoming Challenges

Natoshia Anderson commended Jasmine Suarez for her resilience and determination, particularly in dealing with cancer-related challenges. She highlighted Jasmine Suarez's journey and survival as a testament to her strength. Natoshia also shared her own personal story about a mentor figure, Ow, who had a significant impact on her academic journey, providing guidance and support when she struggled with thermodynamics. She credited Ow for helping her overcome challenges in her classes and ultimately graduate.

Mentorship, Diversity, and Authenticity in Professional Environments

Jasmine Suarez and Natoshia highlighted the significance of mentorship, emotional support, and diversity in professional environments. They discussed the importance of providing guidance beyond just technical skills and understanding the unique experiences of individuals from different backgrounds. The conversation also emphasized the need for authentic self-presentation in professional settings, with Jasmine Suarez sharing her personal journey of finding her true identity after leaving the airline industry. Both agreed on the importance of presenting oneself in a way that aligns with personal values and identity, while also navigating different professional environments where certain codes of presentation may be necessary.

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Episode Summary

I cannot wait for you to meet Chela" Wallace. She is a brilliant chemist turned STEM educator and mentor. Her STEM story starts with wanting to understand what was happening to her Grandmother who was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately died from it when she was very young. This experience fueled her interest in finding a cure and in science sadly, though Chela didn't have a chance to explore science until her 7th-grade year in grade school when she met up with a teacher that gave her the freedom to explore and do a science fair project on hair.

Chela' was able through college, to find her people and make the transition into the work world where she has been following her path and helping people of color in STEM.

Chela' Wallace Bio
With over 17 years of experience, Chela' is passionate about advancing equitable STEM education and fostering student retention in post-secondary STEM careers. She specializes in implementing robust STEM visions across diverse educational settings, both nationally and internationally.

🚀 Current Role:
Director of Special Projects at KIPP NYC, collaborating with Chief Equity and Academic Officers to implement Graduate Aims, Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education (CRSE), and Project-Based Learning Vision. Responsibilities include strategic planning, equity alignment, team leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, instructional evaluation and support, data-driven evaluation, and professional development initiatives.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chela-s-wallace/

Support the Show.

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Support the Show.

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A