January is National Mentoring Month. This month, the PAESMEM Team celebrates the transformative power of mentorship and the remarkable individuals who dedicate their time and expertise to guiding others. STEM mentors shape tomorrow's leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

Learn more about the work of PAESMEM individual and organizational awardees below:

Overtoun Jenda | 2020 Awardee

Overtoun Jenda is a Professor of Mathematics at Auburn University (AU) and serves as Assistant Provost for Special Projects and Initiatives, following previous leadership roles in diversity, multicultural affairs, and academic administration. With over 20 years of experience at AU, he has directed numerous National Science Foundation grants, including the U.S.-Africa Collaborative Research Network and the Masamu Program, to advance STEM education and support underrepresented students. A distinguished scholar with over 60 research articles in Homological Algebra, he has also made significant contributions to mentoring and retention in STEM. Dr. Jenda’s honors include the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and the renaming of AU’s Summer Bridge Scholarship as the Overtoun Jenda STEM Scholarship.

The Clubhouse Network | 2017 Awardee

With 153 Clubhouses across 20 countries, The Clubhouse Network (TCN) provides a free, supportive environment where youth from low-income backgrounds can explore their creativity through technology. In TCN’s Group Mentoring program, mentors receive training and resources to guide young creators regardless of prior technical expertise using cutting-edge technologies like robotics, AI, programming, and VR. Instead of traditional teaching, mentors collaborate with young learners, fostering creativity, self-confidence, and life skills. This philosophy of mutual discovery enables youth to explore STEM in ways that align with their passions, opening pathways to future careers and educational opportunities.

Great Minds in STEM | 2014 Awardee

For over two decades, Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) has been committed to promoting STEM education and career access for underserved students, particularly in Los Angeles, CA. By engaging students, families, educators, and community members, GMiS fosters a supportive environment for academic and professional growth. With key initiatives like the STEM-UP Initiative, Viva Technology, and the K-12 Educators' Institute, GMiS has impacted over 140,000 pre-college students and awarded over $5.8 million in scholarships. Its mission is to inspire a diverse, talented workforce in STEMM fields, empowering students from all backgrounds to excel.

Calvin Mackie | 2003 Awardee

Calvin Mackie is a mentor, author, former engineering professor, renowned speaker, and successful entrepreneur. He earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1996 and served as a tenured faculty member at Tulane University, where he focused on heat transfer, fluid dynamics, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. In 2013, he founded STEM NOLA (2022 PAESMEM Awardee), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing high-quality STEM education opportunities for K-12 students of color from under-resourced communities. Under his leadership, STEM NOLA has engaged over 125,000 K-12 students in hands-on STEM activities, significantly advancing STEM education and outreach in Louisiana.