CHARLES C. CREWS
welcome to
from credibility to commitment: a declaration of excellence
It is with great pride that we welcome you to the 40th BEYA STEM Conference. As we come together at the intersection of People, Process, and Technology, we invite you to honor the legacy, engage the moment, and continue the journey of becoming everything you are.
tyrone d. taborn Publisher, CEO and Chief Content Officer Career Communications Group, Inc.
Welcome to the 2026 BEYA STEM Conference, and welcome to a historic moment for our community. For forty years, BEYA has been a place where excellence is not only recognized but cultivated. It is where talent is affirmed, ambition is sharpened, and careers are changed. What began as a bold idea has grown into one of the most respected convenings in STEM, bringing together professionals, students, educators, military leaders, and industry partners who share a commitment to progress and opportunity.
Reaching this 40-year milestone is a testament to the people who built BEYA and those who continue to carry it forward. Generations of honorees, alumni, mentors, and students have passed through this conference and left their mark on the STEM landscape. Their achievements have earned credibility. Their leadership has created impact. And their example reminds us that excellence carries responsibility.
That spirit defines this year’s conference. As you move through the weekend, you will see BEYA at its fullest expression. You will witness students discovering what is possible for their futures. You will celebrate professionals whose work reaches beyond innovation and into service, mentorship, and community investment. You will engage in conversations that challenge assumptions, strengthen networks, and inspire action.
BEYA has always been about more than individual success. It is about collective progress. It is about opening doors, building pipelines, and ensuring that the next generation enters STEM fields with opportunity, confidence, and support. This conference reflects that mission in every session, every recognition, and every connection made.
We encourage you to be present, to be curious, and to be generous with your time and insight. Reconnect with colleagues. Meet someone new. Share your story. Listen closely to others. The energy of BEYA has always come from the people in the room, and this year is no exception.
Thank you for being part of this legacy and for helping shape what comes next. We are honored to welcome you to BEYA 2026 and excited for the days ahead.
— The BEYA STEM Conference Team
Warm regards, Tyrone
D. Taborn | Publisher, CEO and Chief Content Officer
schedule highlightswelcome
BEYA40 IS CHOCK-FULL OF ACTIVITIES THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE. We’ll highlight a few events that you should plan to attend. But keep in mind, your registration includes access to the BEYA40 archives year-round so you can experience the conference when and wherever you want. Bookmark the BEYA DTXTM Platform so you can access it on the fly. beyastemdtx.com
thursday, february 12, 2026
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
7:00 AM - 7:00 AM EST Registration
BCC – Charles Street Lobby
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST Seminars Sessions BCC – Rooms 307 to 310
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM EST BEYA Welcome Reception
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM EST An Evening with BEYA’s Leading Voices
friday, february 13 , 2026
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
– Key Ballroom
– Room 310
7:00 AM - 7:00 AM EST Registration BCC – Charles Street Lobby
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST BEYA Pre-College Program BCC – Level 300
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST BEYA Career Fair
& BCC – Exhibit Hall A 11:45 AM – 2:15 PM EST Technology Recognition Luncheon
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM EST AMIE Design Challenge
saturday, february 14 , 2026
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Ballroom – Level 400
– Key Ballroom
7:00 AM - 7:00 AM EST Registration BCC – Charles Street Lobby
8:00 AM - 9:45 AM EST HBCU Engineering Deans’ Breakfast BCC Ballroom – Level 400
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST BEYA Career Fair Online & BCC – Exhibit Hall A
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM EST HBCU Engineering Deans’ Roundtable BCC – Room 310
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST BEYA Awards Ceremony BCC Ballroom – Level 400
This schedule is current at press time. The conference mobile app and the website contain up-to-date information. Use the appropriate QR codes to access the most recent and detailed version of the schedule of events.
Scan the QR code for the most up-to-date information on the conference schedule.
https://l.ead.me/bdfzKF
first things first... download the mobile app!
Our mobile app provides easy-to-use interactive capabilities to enhance your conference experience. We’ve included the following features:
• Explore the event agenda and create a personalized schedule to make the most of every session
• Check out speaker profiles and learn more about the experts leading your favorite sessions
• Enable push notifications to receive real-time updates and important announcements
• Use venue maps to find session rooms, exhibit halls, and key locations
• Browse the attendee list and start networking with fellow participants before the event begins
• Download presentations and handouts for reference and review at your convenience
• Share your event experience and follow live updates on the conference social feed
• Retrieve your digital badge for fast check-ins or as a backup if your physical badge is lost or torn
AN OPTIMIZED EXPERIENCE AWAITS YOU. DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW TO GET STARTED.
https://l.ead.me/bdLeMU
navigating the conference
We’re glad you’re here!
The following links will make your BEYA STEM Conference experience the BEST it can be!!
BEYASTEMDTX.COM
Hop on over the DTXTM platform & experience the BEYA STEM Conference Digital Twin Experience!
https://l.ead.me/bdfWC6
USBE MAGAZINE
Read all about this year’s honorees in USBE Magazine Volume 50’s conference edition.
http://l.ead.me/baxjSs
ONLINE CAREER FAIR
Find that once-in-a-lifetime internship! The job you have been working so hard for! So many companies are waiting for YOU!
http://l.ead.me/bawhEF
TRIBUTE HALL MUSEUM
Follow along as BEYA pays tribute to the history of Black people in the military.
https://stemcityusa.com/stewardmulticultural-center-tribute-hall
WATCH BEYA TV!
Live interviews, honoree info, a word from our partners and so much more—BEYA TV has it all!
https://l.ead.me/bfgt5f
ALL EVENT PROGRAMS
Follow this link for the most up-to-date event programs.
https://linktr.ee/beyastem
SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE
Don’t miss that session you’ve been waiting for! Be on time for the HBCU Engineering Deans' Breakfast. A quick look at all BEYA has to offer.
https://l.ead.me/bdfzKF
BEYA40 is live, in-person and online on the BEYA STEM DTXTM platform.
Activities noted as in-person and online on the schedule of events are presented live onsite and streamed on the BEYA DTXTM Platform allowing the online audience to actively participate. A limited number of activities designated as online are only available on the BEYA DTXTM platform.
BEYA40 incorporates a variety of events to help you celebrate excellence, learn from, and connect with peers and subject-matter experts. Many conference sponsors provide venues to network, new career opportunities, and learning experiences that impart insights to their organizations’ values.
BEYA STEM DTXTM PLATFORM
Whether you attend in-person or online, major components of the conference will be live-streamed on the conference platform. Your Badge ID and password, which can be found in your registration confirmation are your login credentials for the platform. Some of the key events are the:
• Career Fair
• Organizational Leadership Seminars
• Technology Learning SeminarsHBCU Research Forum
• Recognition events
All seminars are interactive.
CONFERENCE BADGES
https://l.ead.me/bdfWC6
The official conference badge is your passport to gain access to the events on your agenda.
Your badge:
• Must be shown at the door of marquee events for entry.
• Will include a BadgeID, which along with your registration record password, allows you access to the online platform.
Lost or misplaced badges can be reprinted for a fee of $25.
CEU INFORMATION
Your registration includes Continuing Education Units (CEU) or Professional Development Hours) Professional Development Hours (PDH) credits at no additional cost. Visit our partner portal (Morgan State University Center for Continuing and Professional Studies) registration portal to register.
Download the conference app for a direct link to the CEU application page.
Note: you must ensure that your you sign into the seminar to record your session attendance.
To earn one (1) CEU or PDH, you must accrue 10 hours of learning.
NETWORKING SUITE
https://l.ead.me/bfjORM
Amazon is hosting their networking suite on Friday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in Key Ballroom 6, Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. Join them to learn about their organizations and the opportunities they offer. It is a great way to wind down the day while making important connections.
EVENTS AND EVENT SEATING
All recognition events have assigned seating. Doors open one hour prior to the Technology Recognition Luncheon and BEYA Awards Ceremony, and 30 minutes prior to the HBCU Engineering Deans’ Breakfast. If you have a ticket to this event, your seat will be on the agenda side of your printed or digital badge. You will need to show your badge to enter the ballroom.
LOST AND FOUND
If you lose or find something during the conference, please bring the item to the BEYA Registration customer service counter located in the Baltimore Convention Center. After the conference all unclaimed items will be entrusted the Center’s Public Safety Office. Unclaimed articles will be disposed of by Center Management after 30 days.
Career Communications Group, Inc. is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged property. Career Communications Group, Inc. is not responsible for personal injuries, illness, or death for any reason whatsoever, including ordinary negligence.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
The Baltimore Convention Center has an Emergency Preparedness Plan to handle any emergency. We partner with local Baltimore Police and Fire Departments to ensure the safety of all guests.
Listed below are current features in place at the Center for your safety:
1. Illuminated exit signs supported by an emergency power generator.
2. Flashing “strobe” lights providing visual warnings throughout the facility indicating a fire.
3. An “Automatic Voice Alarm” system designated to direct an emergency evacuation of the entire building in a swift, safe, and orderly fashion.
4. A communication system containing several integrated features that facilitate early detection of hazardous or emergency situations, as follows:
• A multi-channel radio system, housed in the Public Safety Office.
• Closed-circuit television cameras located throughout the facility.
• Emergency telephones located in all elevators.
• Emergency evacuation routes and procedures are posted throughout the building.
• Smoke detectors and a sprinkler system covering all areas of the Center.
5. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are located throughout the building.
Baltimore Convention Center Public Safety 24 hrs Security and lost and found 410.649.7055
Baltimore Police Department - Downtown Location 1 410-396-2411 | Call 911 for all Emergencies
Nearest Emergency Room
Mercy Hospital - 301 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202 410-332-9000
UNTIL WE GATHER IN 2027…
As BEYA40 comes to a close, you move forward equipped with ideas, relationships, and momentum to shape the year ahead. Carry forward the conversations that sparked new thinking, the connections that opened doors, and the possibilities that emerged along the way. We look ahead to gathering again in Baltimore in 2027, joined by those you will inspire throughout 2026 to step into the BEYA journey of growth, purpose, and becoming. The strength of the BEYA community lives in what you take back to your classrooms, workplaces, and neighborhoods. BEYA40 will be preserved in STEM City USA, our metaverse community, ensuring continued access to the experience and insights long after the conference concludes.
Here are a few things you might consider until we gather again in 2027:
• Look around your organization for individuals who may inspire STEM career pursuits. We may feature them in one of our upcoming magazines.
• Nominate or recommend a colleague for an award. Nomination link.
• Schedule or attend events in STEM City.
• Share the digital magazine within you circle.
• Gift a magazine subscription to a library or community organization.
• Give us your feedback to help us better serve the BEYA community.
UPCOMING EVENT DATES
2026 WOC STEM Ship AI Training Program
Sailing from New York City October 2-7, 2026
2026 WOC STEM Conference
Baltimore, MD October 2026
2027 BEYA STEM Conference
Baltimore, MD February 18-20, 2027
conference magazines
US BLACK ENGINEER &
IT:
BEYA ISSUE
• COVER STORY
How Charles Crews’ authentic, people-first leadership journey culminated in his recognition as the 2026 BEYA President’s Award honoree— demonstrating how integrity, accountability, and commitment shape lasting impact across industries.
• 2026 BEYA WINNERS
http://l.ead.me/baxjSs
Celebrating engineers, innovators, educators, and rising leaders whose work is advancing science, technology, and opportunity across energy, AI, national security, education, and public service.
• LEGACY AWARD HONOREES
Honoring distinguished leaders whose careers reflect decades of excellence, mentorship, and service—and whose influence continues to guide the next generation of STEM professionals.
• MODERN-DAY TECHNOLOGY LEADERS
Spotlighting today’s engineers, scientists, and problemsolvers driving innovation across critical industries and shaping how technology serves society.
• SCIENCE SPECTRUM TRAILBLAZERS
Highlighting groundbreaking research, emerging discoveries, and bold ideas from scientists and innovators pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• GENERATION NEXT
Introducing students and early-career innovators who are translating research, lived experience, and curiosity into solutions for a rapidly changing STEM landscape.
US BLACK ENGINEER & IT: VETERAN’S ISSUE
• COVER STORY
Led by Vice Adm. Anthony Winns, Gen. Johnnie E. Wilson, and Vice Adm. Walter Davis, the founders of BEYA Stars & Stripes revisit the program’s origins and issue a call to action for the next generation to carry forward a mission rooted in service beyond duty.
• SERVICE BEYOND DUTY
http://l.ead.me/baxSTw
From military command to civilian leadership, this issue highlights how veterans continue to serve through mentorship, innovation, education, and community engagement long after the uniform comes off.
• ONE ON ONE
Retired four-star Gen. Vincent K. Brooks shares how discipline, curiosity, and purpose shaped his 41-year military career—and how he is crafting a meaningful post-retirement life of leadership, service, and impact.
• CAREER VOICES
Mary McAdams, retired U.S. Navy captain and founder of eMilitary Mentoring, explains how veterans can translate military experience into civilian success through mentorship, preparation, and self-awareness.
• EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP
How ROTC and JROTC veteran educators at HBCUs are shaping future leaders by linking discipline, service, and STEM education—building bridges from classrooms to careers.
• FOUNDERS IN FOCUS: STARS & STRIPES
A deep dive into the evolution of the BEYA Stars & Stripes program, from its early days to its sustained mentoring and scholarship initiatives that now reach hundreds of students annually.
• LEADING VOICES
Senior military leaders, SES professionals, and STEM experts explore innovation, leadership, and the responsibility to uplift the next generation through service and mentorship.
US BLACK ENGINEER & IT: DEANS ISSUE
• COVER STORY
From three-star Army general to university president, Hampton University’s Dr. Darrell K. Williams shares how military leadership, strategic vision, and institutional pride are shaping the next era of excellence in higher education.
• HBCUS: A NATIONAL SECURITY IMPERATIVE
https://l.ead.me/bfjOf9
Exploring the critical role historically Black colleges and universities play in strengthening the nation’s security through education, research, and workforce development in STEM and emerging technologies.
• THE AI BOOM: CYBERSECURITY IMPLICATIONS
An in-depth look at how artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity—creating powerful new tools for defense while presenting emerging challenges that demand a highly skilled, diverse workforce.
• HBCUS AND NATIONAL SECURITY RESEARCH
How HBCUs are advancing cutting-edge research through federal partnerships, defense initiatives, and innovation hubs that position students and faculty at the forefront of national priorities.
• BUILDING THE NATIONAL SECURITY PIPELINE
A focus on how HBCUs are developing the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists to meet the nation’s evolving workforce and defense needs.
• CAREER OUTLOOK
A comprehensive look at ABET-accredited HBCU engineering programs and emerging opportunities preparing students for leadership in science, technology, and national defense.
onsite exhibit booth directory
CHARLES ST LOBBY
https://www.bccenter.org/p/ plan-exhibit/floorplans/ level-300-map
https://www.hilton.com/ en/hotels/bwicchh-hiltonbaltimore/events/
https://www.bccenter.org/p/plan-
event programs
BEYA is known for it’s fabulous events!
The following pages contain ALL of our event programs in ONE handy location! The information contained within is accurate at press time, please consult your app or scan the QR code for the most up-to-date information.
thursday, february 12 , 2026
An Evening with BEYA’s Leading Voices
friday, february 13 , 2026
saturday, february 14 , 2026
https://linktr.ee/beyastem
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST | ROOM 310
THE ROOT OF INNOVATION
Innovation happens when we cultivate the expansive STEM research taking place on our college campuses that ultimately becomes part of our nation’s industrial fabric and our daily lives. We sow. We reap. We grow. Nowhere is this more evident than in the multicultural richness of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCUs have a long legacy of research innovation that provides answers to pivotal questions and provides solutions to problems. An Evening with BEYA’s Leading Voices celebrates STEM Innovators, four experts in their fields who deliver thought-provoking TechTalks that enlighten and challenge conventional thinking.
HOST: DR. VICTOR MCCRARY PROVOST FOR NATIONAL SECURITY INNOVATION | THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
A native of the Washington, D.C., metro area, Victor McCrary received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Catholic University in 1978, followed by a Ph.D. in chemistry from Howard University and then an executive Master of Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.
Prior to joining Catholic University, McCrary was the vice president of research for the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). There, he developed the Office of University Research; established annual Research Weeks to showcase current university research; initiated a technology capture (patents) effort; and led numerous research initiatives that culminated in the designation of UDC as a Carnegie-classified “Research College & University” in February 2025.
Prior to UDC, he served as vice chancellor for research at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and as the first vice president for research and economic development at Morgan State University in Baltimore. In this role at Morgan State, McCrary developed a university-wide research ecosystem, increasing external support for faculty research and growing an entrepreneurial culture among faculty and students that led to its first patents and R2 Carnegie research designation. Prior to that, McCrary was the Business Area Executive for Science & Technology and Principal Professional Staff at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory where he directed internal research and development funding to develop new core competencies and innovations in the areas of national security and space technologies for civilian and military applications.
McCrary started his career at AT&T Bell Laboratories-Murray Hill as a postdoc and then as a member of the technical staff before being selected to be a program manager with the Advanced Technology Program and becoming the first chief of the Convergent Information Systems Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). At NIST, he led the first efforts to develop industry standards for electronic books, where he was a co-recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Gold Medal for his efforts. He is a former national president of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCCHE), a fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS), and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Among the numerous honors he has received throughout his career is the Alumni Achievement Award for Research Excellence from Catholic University in 2015. McCrary was inducted into the DeMatha Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 2013, and he also He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7559 in Columbia, Maryland, since 1997.
TECH TALK PRESENTERS
DR. MICHELLE JOHN
VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH & INNOVATION | TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, CHAIR HBCU S&T COUNCIL
Dr. John (formerly Penn-Marshall) is the inaugural VP for Research and Innovation at Texas Southern University. Dr. John previously served as the Vice President for Research, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate College at Hampton University. Her other roles at Hampton University included Assistant Provost for Research and Grantsmanship, Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, and Director of Student Academic Support Services in the School of Nursing. In Virginia, Dr. John was actively involved in numerous regional and national grants as well as professional service. She was appointed to the National Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) Advisory Committee on Advocacy and Public Policy for the Council of Graduate Schools and the Board of Directors for the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast. She served as a member of the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy Advisory Board in Hampton Roads and was also affiliated with the Society of STEM Women of Color. She has also served as a co-Principal Investigator for numerous NIH and NSF grants. Additionally, she secured funding for and designed a mobile health unit to provide healthcare to urban, rural, and underserved community members. Dr. John is well-versed in developing community and industry partnerships. Dr. John earned her B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science from Hampton University. She received her Ph.D. in Community Nutrition from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.
DR. KAYE HUSBANDS FEALING
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND ECONOMIC (SBE) DIRECTORATE | NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Kaye Husbands Fealing is the Assistant Director of the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF). She is the former Dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a former Chair of the School of Public Policy Georgia Tech, where she currently holds the title professor. She specializes in science of science and innovation policy and the public value of research expenditures. Prior to her positions at Georgia Tech, Husbands Fealing taught at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, and she was a study director at the National Academy of Sciences. Prior to the Humphrey School, she was the William Brough professor of economics at Williams College, where she began her teaching career in 1989. She developed and was the inaugural program director for NSF's Science of Science and Innovation Policy program and co-chaired the Science of Science Policy Interagency Task Group, chartered by the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Subcommittee of the NSTC. At NSF, she also served as an Economics Program director. Husbands Fealing was a visiting scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Technology Policy and Industrial Development, where she conducted research on NAFTA’s impact on the Mexican and Canadian automotive industries, and research on strategic alliances between aircraft contractors and their subcontractors
Husbands Fealing is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is an Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She was awarded the 2023 Carolyn Shaw Bell Award from the American Economic Association's Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession, and the 2017 Trailblazer Award from the National Medical Association Council on Concerns of Women Physicians. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum-Georgia Chapter, and member of the YWCA's Academy of Women Achievers. She serves on the Society for Economic Measurement's board and the trustee board for the R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation. She has served on several committees and panels, including: the National Academy of Public Administration board; AAAS' Executive Board and other AAAS committees; National Academies’ panels; Council of Canadian Academies panels; American Academy of Arts and Sciences working groups; NSF’s Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Advisory Committee, STEM Education Advisory Committee, and the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering; NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences Council; General Accountability Office’s Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics Polaris Council; and American Economic Association’s Committee on the Status of Women in the Economic Profession. At Georgia Tech, she co-chaired the Arts@Tech Institute Strategic Planning committee, and she has served on the Institute for Data Engineering and Science Council, the Intellectual Property Advisory Board, and other committees.
DOROTHY J. PHILLIPS
2026 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY | MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Dorothy J. Phillips is the 2026 American Chemical Society (ACS) Immediate Past President. She is the first African American woman to be elected to the ACS presidential succession and the first African American woman to be elected to the ACS Board of Directors, where she served three terms from 20142022. In 1967, Dorothy was the first African American woman to complete a bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University and completed her doctoral studies at the University of Cincinnati and was the first African American woman in Cincinnati to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1974.
At the University of Cincinnati, Dorothy studied the conformation of viral RNA with polarized light (circular dichroism). After graduation, she worked for Dow Chemical, where she developed growth promoters for livestock and poultry. Dr. Phillips then worked at Waters Corporation, where she prepared solid supports to purify proteins and then helped to develop novel solid-phase extraction techniques for determining the levels of drugs and pesticides in complex media such as serum, food, and water. She became a manager at Waters, retiring as their Director of Strategic Marketing in 2013. Her works in circular dichroism and bio separation are well known, in essence, her work helps scientists better understand biological processes and produce high-quality treatments.
Among her honors are the Roland H. Hirsch Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Analytical Chemistry from the Division of Analytical Chemistry, 2023;The Percy L. Julian Award, from National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) 2022; Lifetime Achievement Award from NOBCChE, 2020; the Vanderbilt University Dr. Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Endowed Chair, 2015 with investiture of Professor Renã Robinson in the chair, 2023; Vanderbilt University Trailblazer, Class of 2019; American Chemical Society Fellow, Class of 2010; and Distinguished Alumni, University of Cincinnati, College of Arts and Sciences, 1995 and Center for Women Studies, 1993.
Dr. Phillips is a co-editor and a co-author of a chapter in Responsible Conduct in Chemistry Research and Practice: Global Perspectives (2018), an ACS symposium series book. Dr. Phillips is featured in African American Women Chemists in the Modern Era by Jeannette E. Brown (2018). She is the co-author of an editorial for the special virtual issue of Langmuir honoring the work of Dr. Bettye Washington Greene, (https://go.acs.org/7lh). In addition, she is the author of a chapter in the virtual ACS Symposium Series book 1367, Building Your Best Chemistry Career (2020).
KIM LEWIS
VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH & CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER | HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Kim Michelle Lewis, Ph.D. is from New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her secondary education in the New Orleans Public school system and graduated from McDonogh #35 Senior High School, the first high school for African-American students in the State of Louisiana. She studied at Dillard University, a Historical Black College and University in New Orleans, and received the David and Lucile Packard and the UNCF/Mellon Fellowships. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. In that same year, Dr. Lewis was accepted to the University of Michigan Applied Physics Ph.D. Program and received a David and Lucile Packard Fellowship and several Pre-doctoral Research Grants from the Social Science Research Council. Dr. Lewis’ thesis work in Condensed Matter Physics was the development of single electron devices for application as low-noise electrometers. Her work led to a U.S. Patent No. 6,777,911. Dr. Lewis completed her Master of Science in Electrical Engineering while working toward her Ph.D. in Applied Physics which she earned from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Lewis was awarded a Career Enhancement Fellowship by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and a National Science Foundation (NSF) BRIGE Award and she received the NSF Career Award. Her research expertise is in quantum transport in nanoscale structures, such as thin films and molecular junctions using techniques that include inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy. Other interests of Dr. Lewis include the study of the electrophysiology of biological systems, including adult stem cells for therapeutic and regenerative medicine applications.
Currently, Dr. Lewis is the Vice President for Research and Chief Research Officer. She is also a Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her interests are to provide university-wide leadership to strengthen its research enterprise through stronger faculty engagement, optimization of organizational capacity, advancement of interdepartmental collaboration, and promotion of institutional alignment.
beyond
in action innovation: accountability
Friday, February 13, 2026 • 11:45 AM – 2:15 PM EST
Ballrooms I & II, BEYA World I - Baltimore Convention Center
Doors open at 10:45 AM EST
beyond innovation: accountability in action
Friday, February 13, 2026 • 11:45 AM – 2:15 PM EST
Doors open at 10:45 AM EDT
BALLROOMS I & II, BEYA WORLD I - BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
FEATURING: Modern-Day Technology Leaders and Science Spectrum Trailblazers
TECHNOLOGY RECOGNITION LUNCHEON SPONSOR: World Wide Technology
CONFERENCE CO-HOSTS: Lockheed Martin, The Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine
CONFERENCE SPONSOR: Actalent
OFFICIAL AIRLINE: Southwest Airlines
This luncheon honors professionals whose contributions go beyond technological breakthroughs. Today’s honorees are leaders who hold themselves accountable to their organizations, their communities, and the next generation. They are innovators who have moved from achievement to responsibility, ensuring that progress in STEM is matched by progress in equity, mentorship, and opportunity.
EMCEE:
DR. KENDALL HARRIS
INTERIM DEAN, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE, FOWLER SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING | CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
GROUP 1 - MODERN-DAY TECHNOLOGY LEADERS
BEYA Tribute Honor - Tony Assadi
GROUP 2 -
MODERN-DAY
TECHNOLOGY LEADERS
BEYA Tribute Honor - Gwendolyn Bethea
GROUP 3 - SCIENCE SPECTRUM TRAILBLAZERS
CLOSING REMARKS
guardians of legacy,builders of tomorrow
Saturday, February 14, 2026 • 8:00 AM – 9:45 AM EST
Ballrooms I & II and BEYA World I - Baltimore Convention Center
Doors open at 7:30 AM EST
guardians of legacy: builders of tomorrow
Saturday, February 14, 2026 • 8:00 AM – 9:45 AM EST
Doors open at 7:30 AM EDT
BALLROOMS I & II, BEYA WORLD I - BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
HBCU ENGINEERING DEANS’ BREAKFAST SPONSOR: BGE and Pepco
CONFERENCE CO-HOSTS: Lockheed Martin, The Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine
CONFERENCE SPONSOR: Actalent
OFFICIAL AIRLINE: Southwest Airlines
The HBCU Engineering Deans embody the spirit of commitment. As custodians of heritage and champions of equity, they are building sustainable pipelines that will carry talent into the future of STEM. This event highlights deans who not only guide their institutions but also invest in broader communities, reaffirming that excellence means leaving the door open for those who follow.
EMCEE:
PAMELA R. MCCAULEY, PH.D., CPE
DEAN AND PROFESSOR
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING WIDENER UNIVERSITY
INTRODUCTION OF THE HBCU ENGINEERING DEANS
DR. ZHENGTAO DENG
Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences (CETPS)
Alabama A&M University
DR. YASSIR ABDELRAZIG
Associate Dean for Strategic Operations
Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering
DR. JOYCE SHIRAZI
Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology
Hampton University
DR. KIMBERLY JONES
Dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA)
Howard University
DR. WILBUR WALTERS JR.
Dean of the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET)
Jackson State University
DR. OSCAR BARTON JR.
Dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr.
School of Engineering
Morgan State University
DR. STEPHANIE LUSTER-TEASLEY
Dean of the College of Engineering
North Carolina A&T State University
DR. MICHAEL KEEVE
Dean of the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET)
Norfolk State University
DR. PAMELA OBIOMON
Dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering
Prairie View A&M University
DR. LEALON MARTIN
Dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering
Southern University and A&M College
DR. LIN LI
Dean of the College of Engineering
Tennessee State University
DR. MARK WEATHERSPOON
Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (COSET)
Texas Southern University
DR. HESHMAT AGLAN
Dean of the College of Engineering (COE)
Tuskegee University
DR. DEVDAS SHETTY
Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)
University of the District of Columbia
DR. DERREK DUNN
Dean of the School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology, and Tourism Management (S-BEAST-TM)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
DR. DAWIT HAILE
Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology
Virginia State University
DR. FRANK HALL (in absentia)
Dean of the John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (JWGCESTA)
Central State University
HBCU FUTURE LEADER AWARD
TREVOR TRAN
Computer Engineering, Senior Hampton University
JORAN LATEEF SIMMONS
Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Senior Norfolk State University
DESMOND KOMLA
Manufacturing Engineering, Senior Virginia State University
KIRSTEN HILL
Electrical Engineering, Senior Tuskegee University
ELZY FURDGE
Computer Engineering, Sophomore Jackson State University
AXEL TOMLINSON
Electrical Engineering, Senior Tennessee State University
MILES DAVIS
Transportation Systems Engineering, Junior Morgan State University
GILBERT PINKETT
Mechanical Engineering, Junior University of Maryland Eastern Shore
EMANUEL MATTHEWS
Mechanical Engineering, Junior Southern University and A&M College
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
BEREKET MEGO
Biomedical Engineering (Undergraduate) University of Houston
NICK MILLER
Petroleum Engineering (Undergraduate) University of Houston
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS AWARD
IMANI ADAMS
Graduate Research Fellow
Purdue University
SHAUNA ADAMS
Graduate Research Assistant Purdue University
SHORMA BIANCA BAILEY, PH.D. Founder & CEO Agriwater Corporation
SHANTONIO BIRCH, PH.D. Founder & CEO ThermoVerse
ALEXIS NOELLI PEÑA, PH.D.
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer Good Fibes
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEAN'S AWARD
KOFI NYARKO, D.ENG.
Director, Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning Systems Morgan State University
HBCU PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
DARRELL K. WILLIAMS
President Hampton University
BEYA AWARDS CEREMONY
from credibility to commitment: a declaration of excellence
Saturday, February 14, 2026 • 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST
Ballrooms I & II and BEYA World I - Baltimore Convention Center
Doors open at 7:00 PM EST
EVENT SPONSORS
from credibility to commitment: a declaration of excellence
Saturday, February 14, 2026 • 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST
Doors open at 7:00 AM EDT
BALLROOMS I & II, BEYA WORLD I - BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
BEYA AWARDS CEREMONY SPONSOR: BGE and Pepco, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
CONFERENCE CO-HOSTS: Lockheed Martin, The Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine
CONFERENCE SPONSOR: Actalent
OFFICIAL AIRLINE: Southwest Airlines
The 40th Anniversary BEYA Awards Ceremony is not simply a celebration. It is a declaration. For four decades, BEYA has showcased credibility by honoring STEM’s best and brightest. Now, we call honorees, alumni, and institutions to demonstrate commitment — to lead with integrity, to mentor with purpose, and to invest in opportunities that endure.
EMCEE:
ANGELA STRIBLING
40TH ANNUAL BEYA AWARDS CEREMONY
CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE — HONOREES
DR. EUGENE M. DELOATCH
LEGACY AWARD
DERREK BUTLER DUNN, PH.D. DEAN
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
DR. FREEMAN
HRABOWSKI III LEGACY AWARD
INGRID Y. PADILLA, PH.D.
Professor in Civil Engineering; Advisor to the Chancellor in Research & Innovation University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
DR. LYDIA W. THOMAS
LEGACY AWARD
STACY HOBSON, PH.D.
Director, Responsible Technology Research
IBM Corporation
LINDA GOODEN LEGACY AWARD
PATRICK CAZEAU
Director, Engineering Technical Development
The Boeing Company
REGINALD VAN LEE
LEGACY AWARD
ANGELA JOHNSON CULVER
Vice President, ABM Performance
Solutions (APS) Solutioning – Operations Support
ABM Industries
RODNEY C. ADKINS
LEGACY AWARD
ACHILLE FOKOUE-NKOUTCHE
Distinguished Research Scientist and Research Manager
IBM
STEPHANIE C. HILL
LEGACY AWARD
JYLINDA JOHNSON
Senior Vice President
General Dynamics Information Technology
CAPT. DONNIE COCHRAN
LEGACY AWARD
WILLIAM ROOSEVELT HALL III
Project Manager
JF Taylor Inc
DAVID STEWARD LEGACY AWARD
ANDRE’ CALDWELL
Chief Counsel, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
The Boeing Company
BEYA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
GEORGE PARKER, PH.D.
Boeing Technical Fellow & Technical Lead Engineer
The Boeing Company
PASSING OF THE TORCH — LIVING LEGACY TRIBUTE
Past Black Engineer of the Year Honorees Collective recognition honoring the continuum of BEYA excellence and stewardship
BEYA PRESIDENT’S AWARD
CHARLES C. CREWS
Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
BEYA selection committee
RICHARD BAIDOO, PH.D.
Research Investigator
Corteva Agriscience
STEPHANIE BOONE-SHAW
Senior Vice President
Booz Allen Hamilton
ASHLEY CARR
DEI Business Partner
Leidos
ANGELYS CUELLO
Senior Clinical Engineer
Abbott
TIERA FLETCHER
Program Business Operations
Senior Manager
The Boeing Company
MYRON FLETCHER
Senior Program Manager
The Boeing Company
DURAN GUNTER
Director, ERP Transformation
Aftermarket
RTX Corporate
DAWIT HAILE
Dean, College of Engineering and Technology; Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Virginia State University
MATT HERNANDO
Analytics Engineer
World Wide Technology
DERKE R. HUGHES, PH.D.
Senior Research Engineer
Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport
NICOLE JACKSON
R&D S&E Systems Research and Analysis
Sandia National Laboratories
GILBERT “CHIP” JONES, D.M.
Senior Staff Engineer, Systems
Architect
Northrop Grumman
ANDREA LEWIS-ALLEN
Senior Manager
The Boeing Company
LIN LI, PH.D.
Dean, College of Engineering
Tennessee State University
EUGENE MANGORTEY, PH.D.
Group Leader & Technical Manager
The MITRE Corporation
NICOLE MATHERN
Aeronautical Information
Specialist
Leidos
MARKEEVA MORGAN, PH.D.
Vice President and Program
Manager, BDS Sapphire
The Boeing Company
BEVERLY NOLAN
Leidos
UGONNA OHIRI, PH.D.
Senior R&D Technologist
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
PHILLIP PALMER
Senior Practice Manager
World Wide Technology
JONATHAN RANSOM, PH.D.
Deputy Director, Engineering
Directorate
NASA Langley Research Center (Ret.)
ERNEST SMILEY
Founder, CEO & Chief Data Scientist
Kingdom Capital
TINA TERRELL
Senior Executive for National Recruitment
USDA Forest Service
RIGOBERT TIBI, PH.D.
R&D S&E, Geosciences Engineer
Principal
Sandia National Laboratories
ANGEL TURNER
Early Talent Attraction Lead Amentum
MARK VAUGHN
Director, STEM Partnerships and Early Talent Pipeline Development Corning Incorporated
KEN WASHINGTON Chief Technology Officer
partners & exhibitors
BEYA PARTNERS
CONFERENCE CO-HOSTS
Lockheed Martin
The Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities
US Black Engineer & Information Technology
Magazine
CONFERENCE CO-SPONSOR
Actalent
OFFICIAL AIRLINE
Southwest Airlines
DIAMOND
Amazon
Ford Motor Company
U.S. Navy
World Wide Technology
GOLD Abbott
Amentum
Dominion Energy
Exelon
BRONZE
Accenture Federal Services
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Southern Star
The Aerospace Corporation
EXHIBITORS
317th Recruiting Squadron
AAMU-RISE Foundation
Inc.
Abenya | Human Capacity & Innovation Frameworks
Accenture Federal Services
Adrienne Somerville, Author
Air Commando Outreach Squadron
Alabama A&M University
Alpha Kappa Alpha Amazon
Amentum
AMIE, Inc.
Army National Guard
B-360
BDPA
Bianca Bailey, Author
Black Blockchain Lab
Canady Leadership Group
Career Factory 360 LLC
City Cruises
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering
Columbia University
Diamondback Energy Inc.
Dominion Energy
Dr. Celeste Chamberlain, Author
Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University
Exelon
Florida A&M UniversityFlorida State University College of Engineering
Ford Motor Company
Hampton University
Howard University
Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity Engineering Research Center (HAND ERC)
I & S STEM Research
Jackson State University
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Ladies in Tech
LEAP Forward, Inc.
Legacy Bridges STEM Academy
Lockheed Martin
Los Angeles Department of Transportation
MIT Beaver Works
Summer Institute
MITRE
Morgan State University
Myron and Tiera Fletcher, Authors
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A&T State University
NPower
Omega Psi Phi
Southern University and A&M College
STEM City USA
Tammy Jones, Author
Tennessee State University
The Aerospace Corporation
The Catholic University of America
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
The National Technical Association Baltimore Chapter
ThermoVerse
Towson University
UNBossed Consulting LLC
University of Maryland
University of the District of Columbia
University of Virginia
US Navy
USF College of Engineering
Virginia Tech College of Engineering
Virtual Intros
World Wide Technology
BEYA SPECIAL EVENT PARTNERS
AMIE Board Meeting
Nucor Corporation
BEYA AWARDS CEREMONY
BGE and Pepco
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
BEYA STEM SOLUTION CHALLENGE
UL Research Institutes
BEYA TV
TEDCO
BEYA WELCOME RECEPTION
Emcor Group, Inc.
HBCU ENGINEERING DEANS’ BREAKFAST
BGE and Pepco
HBCU ENGINEERING DEANS’ ROUNDTABLE
MISO Energy
NETWORKING SUITE
Amazon
Diamondback Energy
INTERVIEW VILLAGE
General Dynamics
STARS & STRIPES
NETWORKING EVENT
Diamondback Energy
Morgan State University
World Wide Technology
STARS & STRIPES MENTORING PROGRAM
General Dynamics
The Leadership Compass
T-Mobile
TECHNOLOGY RECOGNITION LUNCHEON SPONSOR
World Wide Technology
VIP GREEN ROOM
Actalent
