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Charnell Chasten attends North Carolina A&T State University, and is currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Chemistry. She is
currently studying abroad in Costa Rica. “Life is not worth living unless you live for others,’ my grandparents frequently said.
With this quote in mind, I sought out to live by this value and find my niche. I know that I have always had a fascination with
science, even at an early age. As a result, my mother was forced to purchase safety plugs for the electrical outlets to prevent
me from sticking objects into the sockets. In hopes of witnessing a reaction, I would often mix cleaning and cosmetic
products. This interest has led me to pursue a career in health sciences so I can help others and exercise my love of science.
Jonte Douglas attends North Carolina A&T State University, and is currently pursuing a B. S. degree in Technology. “I realized
STEM was for me when I talked to Dr. Murphy, the Program Manger of the NCLSAMP Program and she recruited me to be a
NCLSAMP Achiever while I worked as a camp counselor the summer before attending school. I am very excited to earn a degree
in the STEM discipline and a pursuing a graduate degree in the STEM discipline as well.”
Erica Echols graduated from North Carolina A&T State University, with a B. S. degree in Chemistry, and the University Of
South Florida, with a M.S. degree in Environmental Science and Policy. She is currently an Academic Coordinator at South
Carolina State University. “As a member of the NC-LSAMP program at NC A&T SU, I was afforded the opportunity to
perform undergraduate research a professor in my department (Chemistry), present my project at LSAMP conferences,
attend the HBCU-UP Conference in New Orleans, LA, and also gain knowledge about summer internships and other
opportunities. After gaining undergraduate research experience, I was encouraged to apply to summer internships. I applied
and was accepted to an internship at Cornell University’s CCMR (Cornell Center for Materials Research) REU. It was this summer that opened my
eyes to graduate school and I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in the STEM field. Nearing graduation, a conversation with the NC-LSAMP
director, Dr. Marcia Williams, enlightened me of a Bridge to the Doctorate opportunity at the University of South Florida. I received a BD
fellowship and attended USF- St. Petersburg to obtain my Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy. The NC-LSAMP program allowed me to
build a network of people who are invested in the success of students. It instilled in me a passion for higher education and STEM research. I hope to
inspire students to take advantage of all opportunities that come their way and to be open to where the path of life may lead them.”
Kenny Esho graduated for North Carolina A&T State University and received a B.S. degree in Biology, and a M.S. degree in
Biology from Drexel University. Kenny is currently attending the Morehouse School of Medicine pursuing a medical degree. “I
chose to go into STEM because I realized that I loved science and math when I was in high school. I really enjoyed biology and
also like to help people, so I thought that what a better way to bridge those two things together than to become a doctor”.
Jamil Grant graduated from North Carolina A& T State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering. “I
realized a STEM career was for me when I was very young. As a child, my curiosity of how things worked was always great. When
I became of age to realize that there was a profession that merged science, math, and real world problem solving, I was naturally
drawn in to engineering.”
Dr. Al-Aakhir Grimes-Rogers graduated from North Carolina A& T State University with B. S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical
and Computer Engineering, and received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida. Dr. Rogers was
a member of Cohort I of the Bridge to the Doctorate program at NCA&T, and the 2nd BD cohort at USF. He is currently a Senior
Researcher on the Technical Staff at Draper Laboratory. “While pursuing my Master’s degree, I participated in a summer
internship at NASA JPL and it was that moment that the light turned on. I was affirmed from the group leader and praised for the
good work that I completed that summer. That moment clearly defined that ‘I could do this’...obtain the Ph.D.
Franshaun Hardy received a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering, and is currently pursuing a M.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. “I realized STEM was for me in the 3rd Grade, when I built a sample motor
for the Science Fair. I am continuing my LSAMP project, Facial Expression Recognition, as my thesis in graduate school.
Kori Higgs received a B.S. Degree in Biological Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. The LSAMP project
has helped transform landscape surrounding Sockwell Hall into a demonstration of how to restore natural functions of an urban
environment. It has helped also recruit new students into Biological Engineering because they are impressed with the impact our
work has on the campus.