Racheida L
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Expertise
engineering education, qualitative research, electrical engineering
Bio
Racheida S. Lewis, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia in the Engineering Education Transformations Institute (EETI) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She has been recognized as a Gates Millennium Scholar, GEM Associate Fellow, New Horizon Scholar, and a 2019 inductee into the Bouchet Honor Society. She completed her doctoral work at Virginia Tech, where she focused on the impact matriculation structures have on self-efficacy development in electrical and computer engineering students. She also earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia, respectively. Dr. Lewis believes in creating a diverse engineering field and strives to do so through connecting with teaching and mentoring future engineers. She has devoted her life to this mission through her leadership and lifetime membership in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Dr. Lewis’s research focuses on improving justice, equity, diversity, access, and inclusion in engineering, and aspires to bridge together research and pedagogy within the academy to enhance engineering education within the field and across disciplines. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In her spare time, Dr. Lewis enjoys traveling, listening to music and attending concerts, spending time with family and friends, and tending to her houseplants.Project ideas
Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.
How does performance in STEM classes influence STEM identity development and career interests?
Consider your peers who are very good at and like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes. Do they see themselves using STEM in their careers in the future? Using qualitative and quantitative methods (mixed methods), we can explore what factors contribute to HS students' interest in and identity as STEM professionals. Outcomes include a scientific research poster or paper.
Coding skills
MATLABTeaching experience
Elementary School 3 week camps Elementary School 5 week camp HS 3 week camp HS week camp Intro to Engineering (college level) Electrical Circuits (college level) Logic Design (college level)Credentials
Work experience
University of Georgia (2019 - Current)
Assistant ProfessorEducation
Virginia Commonwealth University
BS Bachelor of Science (2013)
Electrical EngineeringUniversity of Virginia
MEng Master of Engineering (2015)
Electrical EngineeringVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy (2019)
Engineering Education