Fostering More Women in STEM. Let’s Get Nvolved! 

Nvolve Newsletter Issue 7

Featured Alumna: Meet the Graduate!

Read what Ana Baide has to say

I'm Ana Baide, a proud University of Maryland College Park graduate as of December 2023. After earning a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Actuarial Mathematics, I am excited to start my journey as a Software Engineer at Goldman Sachs.

Three years ago, I found myself at a crossroads. A professor from Montgomery College saw potential in me and suggested I join Nvolve. He thought I was a good student but needed a nurturing community to develop additional skills. I was intrigued by Nvolve's supportive environment and dynamic activities like huddles.

Reflecting on my Nvolve journey, these three years have been transformative. The heart of my experience lies in the huddles and technical projects. Huddles were my weekly escape - an hour to disconnect from the rigors of academia and engage in thought-provoking discussions with peers. They challenged me to voice my opinions boldly, regardless of their alignment with others. The technical projects were equally impactful, paving my path to a software engineering role. My full-stack development and product management projects provided a hands-on experience that complemented my academic learning. I'm leaving Nvolve with an impressive portfolio: two applications, project management experience, a SharePoint development project, a website development project, and two data visualization projects. This practical knowledge, gained outside the classroom, has been invaluable.

Jenny Mahmoudi, my mentor throughout the program, was instrumental in my growth. She guided me through my transition to a new college, helped me select my first semester classes, and navigated the complex job-hunting process. More than a mentor, she was a pillar of support, celebrating my successes and constantly reminding me of my achievements.

As I bid farewell to Nvolve, I'm excited to join the Alumnae Club and volunteer at Nvolve, hoping to inspire future students to embark on projects as enriching as mine. My advice to all women in STEM is simple yet heartfelt: Work hard and pursue your passions. Remember, college is a steppingstone towards your goals. There will be ups and downs, but the reward at the end is immensely gratifying when you're following your heart.­­­

Meet the Mentor:  Jenny Mahmoudi

I’m a product designer currently at flox, a startup creating tools to improve the developer experience. My journey to this point in my career started with a degree in Electrical Engineering and through several twists and turns led me to find a passion for using design to solve complex problems for people. When a former colleague introduced me to Nvolve, it sounded like a great opportunity to meet and support students who are just beginning their own journey, wherever that may lead them.  

In March 2021, I was paired with Nvolve scholar Ana Baide, who was attending Montgomery College virtually from Honduras, while deciding which school she would be transferring to in the fall, as well as diving into Nvolve’s research project and monthly commitments. Since then, I’ve seen Ana continue to excel above and beyond in everything she does, from becoming Nvolve’s resident application developer to completing a successful internship culminating in a full-time job offer. Ana has taken every opportunity at Nvolve to grow and strengthen her skills through leadership, collaboration and technical projects. 

At our first meeting, it was clear that Ana had a keen ability to understand complex systems and connections between various components, at a global level all the way to her local community. As a “systems thinker” with a passion for helping people, Ana makes a big impact on every group she’s a part of. In our mentoring relationship, she inspires me and I truly can’t wait to see what amazing things she does next. 

I am so grateful to be part of the amazing network of mentors and volunteers at Nvolve supporting incredible young women on their journey in STEM careers. 

Featured Alumna: Meet the Graduate!

Read what Afia-Grace Harris has to say

I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Science, fueled by a passion for health equity. Post-graduation, my goal is to pursue either a job or graduate school education in health policy, international affairs, or health equity. 

In July 2021, encouraged by my college advisor at UMD, I applied to Nvolve. I recognized that I needed consistent guidance and research experience as a student returning to in-person learning post-COVID. I recognized that I needed to augment my education at UMD by being exposed to research and other learning opportunities offered by Nvolve. 

As an Nvolve scholar, I took on leadership roles, leading huddle meetings on diverse topics such as Dr. Boyd’s experience in Big Pharma at AstraZeneca, and recruitment strategies by Michael Hotchkiss. I produced two women in STEM podcasts and completed three Tableau data visualization projects covering pre- and post-COVID flight patterns, COVID-19 prevalence among races, and chronic disease indicators across states. In addition, I developed a chatbot with Google Dialogflow. These projects pushed me out of my comfort zone, honing my tech skills, and improving my teamwork capabilities. 

Huddles with recruitment experts, Michael Hotchkiss, Mike Norusis from Deltek, and Faye exposed me to valuable insights on negotiation, project management, strengths and weaknesses, interview skills, and professionalism. The safe and open environment of the huddles provided me space to express my opinions freely and develop closer relationships with peers, enhancing both professional and personal skills applicable to various industries. 

My mentor, Dr. Tiana Garrett, a Science editor for the CDC, has been guiding me on personal, Nvolve, and academic matters for almost three years. Her support, patience, advice, and encouragement of advocating for myself, being courageous with new projects and experiences, and celebrating progress, have been invaluable. 

Nvolve has significantly shaped my outlook and readiness for my post-graduation transition. I look forward to exploring the Alumnae Club and volunteering at Nvolve. To college women majoring in STEM, my advice is to embrace discomfort, seek opportunities in challenges, and celebrate every small progress and accomplishment. 

Meet the Mentor:  Tiana Garrett-Cherry, PhD

I currently work as a technical writer-editor for a health journal and a public health consultant. I joined Nvolve as a mentor in 2020 to empower young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM). In this journey, I have worked with individuals who have inspired me in immeasurable ways, particularly noteworthy is Afia-Grace Harris.  

For two years I mentored Afia-Grace, and she has consistently outshone my expectations. Right from our first meeting, I could see she was a thoughtful and motivated young lady who is dedicated to learning and helping her community. Within Nvolve, she has participated in multiple technology-based projects, led group discussions, and was selected to represent other scholars at a stakeholders meeting—all while balancing high academic performance, leadership, and volunteering roles within her university. Seeing how much Afia-Grace has grown professionally has been impressive. During a few of our discussions, her careful decision-making about scholarly opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills highlighted her maturity and forethought.   

Among the many students I’ve mentored, Afia-Grace stands out for her natural curiosity and unwavering determination. As she is nearing graduation, I know that she will be impactful in her chosen career. Moreover, her generosity of spirit promises a bright future for the next generation of scholars, whom she is sure to inspire. Collectively, the volunteers within the Nvolve program have contributed to expanding the realms of possibilities in STEM for each of its scholars—Afia-Grace is a shining example. 

NVCC Women in STEM Club: Navigating Tomorrow’s Careers Amid the AI Revolution

By Judy Marouf, Nvolve Scholar

In a world shaped by rapid technological strides, the Women in STEM Club at the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale campus hosted a pivotal event titled “Navigating Tomorrow’s Careers: The Artificial Intelligence Revolution in STEM” featuring speaker Faye O’Brien. Amid the unfolding progression of AI, this presentation delved into practical implications for the job market across industries. Ms. O’Brien optimistically addressed a room filled with inquisitive students and faculty, providing a hopeful perspective on the future of AI and a space to contemplate the trajectory of their academic and professional pursuits in this transformative era.

Ms. O’Brien received positive feedback as attendees appreciated her engaging insights. During the session, she highlighted the importance of staying informed and adapting to the latest AI developments, to which NVCC student Imani Myles noted, “After the meeting, I incorporated unfamiliar technologies into my life by using ChatGPT for the first time.” Another attendee, Dalal Moura, previously feared that AI advancements would largely lead to job loss. However, Ms. O’Brien’s insights led her to understand that AI will not necessarily replace certain jobs but could automate them. Moura emphasized, “AI closes many doors yet opens twice as many opportunities.”

Standing at the intersection of technological progress and my career journey, I have found that these kinds of events can empower future professionals to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding AI’s role in the job market and society at large. Engaging with students on these topics not only cultivates a deeper understanding of AI, but also fosters a culture of critical thinking and proactive discussions that extend beyond the confines of the classroom. By examining the multifaceted implications of AI, students are encouraged to explore the ethical considerations, societal impacts, and potential policy frameworks that can shape responsible deployment of this technology.

“Navigating Tomorrow’s Careers” is a testament to the power of engaging in discussions in preparation for tomorrow’s STEM careers. Ms. O’Brien’s talk was a catalyst for nurturing a generation of adaptable individuals who are equipped to enthusiastically navigate and contribute to the evolving landscape of the workforce influenced by the ever-expanding presence of AI. As we stand on the precipice of a future enhanced by AI, these conversations become more than a mere dialogue; they transform into a guiding beacon for those seeking clarity in the face of imminent change.

The Power of Building and Nurturing Relationships: A Journey with Nvolve

By Najmah Abdur-Rahman, Nvolve Scholar

Society thrives through the interconnectedness and relationships among individuals. And it’s through these relationships that one is able to develop personally and professionally. At Nvolve, I have come to realize the importance of building and nurturing relationships, as they have impacted my perspectives and became a part of my journey in this community.

A relationship is the connection between two or more people that creates a bond which can impact our lives. Relationships can be broken down into multiple categories including family, friends, romantic, professional, academic, and mentoring. Such relationships contribute to a deeper sense of happiness, self-worth, confidence, and belonging. Nvolve perfectly fosters a combination of relationship types such as professional, academic, mentoring and more importantly family. Within this nurturing community, I have embraced the value of each type of relationship and the distinctive way they have shaped me into who I am.

Within Nvolve, the professional and mentoring relationship I gain through having a personal mentor has been the most transformative. Having a mentor, as I navigate through university, has empowered me in my personal development and enabled me to identify and achieve academic and career goals. Likewise, the guidance, feedback, and support received have been invaluable in my professional growth. These mentoring relationships have significantly expanded my network and connected me with a remarkable community of intelligent, powerful, accomplished women in STEM.

However, I must admit I have encountered struggles in maintaining relationships. Reflecting on my past experiences, I realize I often overestimate the challenges I might face when fostering a new relationship and suffer from self-doubt in my ability to meet the needs that create healthy ones. But Nvolve has provided me with a safe space to grow and overcome these struggles. In this community, we focus on learning about ourselves and understanding what allows us to flourish.

Nvolve has taught me the value of embracing my authentic identity, while equipping me with the courage to step beyond my comfort zone and achieve success. In this judgment free space, I am able to make mistakes, learn, and grow from them. No matter what, support is abundantly present and I know I will always have a family to rely on. If there is one thing I can say I’ve learned; it’s that a fulfilling journey is not just about achievements, but also about the meaningful connections we forge along the way.