William McHenry

Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | 2020

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM mentoring?

Dr. William McHenry's pursuit of excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) mentoring is a multifaceted endeavor driven by a constellation of motivating factors. At its core lies an unwavering desire to inspire and embolden the next generation of leaders and innovators, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and resilience necessary to tackle the complex challenges that lie ahead.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on the development of the STEM workforce?

Dr. McHenry has been a driving force behind numerous STEM mentoring programs, including COI STARs, STEM STARS, the Science Diversity Center, the LSAMP program, GEAR-UP, and many others. While each program has had its transformative moments, the real impact comes from fostering young minds in STEM fields and inspiring students to pursue careers in these critical disciplines. The greatest joy is witnessing the mentees excel and reach new heights. The accolades and acknowledgments serve as affirmations of the positive influence on the STEM community and the dedication to excellence in education and mentorship.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

The Presidential Awardee program distinguishes exceptional STEM educators whose visionary approaches inspire the next generation of innovators. This initiative champions high-quality STEM education by fostering student engagement. Furthermore, the program establishes a collaborative platform that facilitates knowledge exchange and mentorship opportunities among award recipients, fostering a supportive network for continuous growth and advancement within the STEM education landscape.

Biography

William E. McHenry, Ph.D., is a distinguished leader in higher education, with significant contributions to STEM education, mentorship, research, and graduate education. As the Executive Director of the Mississippi eCenter at Jackson State University, he has spearheaded initiatives to increase minority representation and participation in STEM disciplines and graduate education. McHenry's extensive body of work includes scholarly publications, patented innovations, and trailblazing programs designed to foster an inclusive and diverse environment for intellectual growth and scientific progress. Throughout his career, McHenry has secured nearly $75 million in grants as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator, supporting various initiatives aimed at advancing scientific knowledge, mentoring students, and promoting diversity in STEM fields. He has served in leadership roles at institutions such as the National Science Foundation, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. McHenry's notable achievements include implementing the Democratization of CyberLearning at JSU, providing mobile technology to over 6,000 first-time, full-time, first-year students, and establishing a small business accelerator housing 32 companies. He has also been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), and has served on various boards and task forces, contributing to the advancement of STEM education and diversity initiatives.

High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
Awardee with Dr. Quincy Brown, Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Dr. Sylvia Butterfield, Acting Assistant Director at the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) within the National Science Foundation (NSF)
High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAESMEM program.