Alumni Spotlights

Degrees Obtained from the School of Engineering:

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering

Current Profession and Employer:

Director of Technology, Northrop Grumman

What do you like the most about your profession?

• The people – I team with some of the smartest people on the planet. We pioneer and develop
  some of the most groundbreaking, complex technology solutions and services that span outer
  space, air, land, sea, undersea and cyber domains. 
• The technology – from the James Webb Telescope to cutting edge Autonomous Sensors to the advance Radio Frequency and Electro-Optical / Infrared sensor solutions we deliver to our customers. We truly are innovators and disruptors in the aerospace and defense industry.
• The mission – from the start of my career at Northrop Grumman, I have been enamored by the
  important mission we have to define possible for our customers. We endeavor to protect and
  advance humanity in every frontier.

How did the Mitchell SOE prepare you for your career?

• I fondly remember when I first stepped into the “Engineering Building” when I decided that
  engineering was the career for me. I aspired to be a young innovator, I thought about the
  possibilities of taking an audacious idea and bring it to reality.
• I learned from my professors, who were amazing mentors and sponsors, and also built long
  lasting friendships with my fellow students who were poised and ready to tackle the hardest
  problems after graduation.
• But most importantly, I was instilled with the importance of this phrase “too much is given,
  much is required” – it lives with me today. Reaching back to ensure the next generation has all
  the support they need to be successful is a Morgan State University tenet. I do not feel I’m a
  success unless I have 10-15 more of “me” ready to take on my job or other key challenges in the
  world. It is on us as Morgan State University graduates to demonstrate the ability to mentor,
  sponsor and pull through talent in our careers, environments, and industry. That is the essence
  of being a Morgan State University SOE graduate.

Who, from the SOE, had the most impact on you during your time at the SOE, and how have they impacted you?

• There are too many to name to be honest, but I think the ones that I usually refer to are Dr. Carl
  White and Dr. James Whitney. Both, I believe, are still leading the charge at MSU.
• Dr. Whitney impacted my life by showing me what is necessary to be a true researcher. He
  always demonstrated discipline, inspiration, and courage when we were looking to evaluate and
  discover in our field of communications.
• Dr. White demonstrated the passion for STEM outreach and the ambition to develop technical
  talent pipelines to fulfill the need to graduate skilled and diverse STEM talent.
• Both professors had one thing in common as well: They both saw something in me that I didn’t
  see. They figured out that I had everything it would take to lead me into the career I am in
  today. They took a chance on me and pulled me into their circle of trust. They were the giants I
  stood on and I will never forget their phenomenal support during my undergraduate and
  graduate years.

What advice would you give the current SOE student?

The advice I would give to any SOE student would be these four things:

• Never stop learning – I have never stopped being a student, I study the world, I study
  trends, I study technology, I study philosophy … I keep studying. Sometimes, innovation
  and creativity is derived from applying new ideas, that may come from different areas or
  domains, into existing challenges. You never know what will inspire you so keep
  learning.
• Never stop dreaming – in my organization we have a term called, Moon Shots. These
  are audacious ideas that seem insurmountable at first but end up being strategic goals
  that just need someone(s) to believe. Keep dreaming and don’t let anyone or anything
  stifle your dreams.
• Always ask why – question always, why do we do this way? Why not try a different
  approach? The status quo may be to do one thing, but it is our role to ask the hard
  questions and to understand why certain technical decisions were made in the past and
  how they are affecting the technical decisions of the future.
• Always think beyond your current circumstances – in general, this is the need to be
  strategic vs tactical. In truth, we always need a bit of both and must find harmony
  within those two areas. But it is important as well to consider the options — should I be
  tactical, or should I be strategic? The current circumstances may lead me down one
  path, but if I look at the bigger picture, what solutions show up then?