Rising Stars: Meet Whitney Gaskins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Gaskins. 

Hi Whitney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I came to Cincinnati from Mansfield, OH as a first-year engineering student in 2003. I earned my degree in 2008 in Biomedical Engineering. I worked at Sam’s Club as a manager while pursuing my Master’s degree in Quantitative Analysis. While in the program, I had the pleasure to represent the State as Miss Black Ohio. My platform during my tenure was “increase underrepresented population’s participation in STEM fields. From there, I launched a foundation to support this goal and earned my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. My foundation currently serves 2,000 students each year, and I currently am an Assistant Dean and an Associate Professor in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been challenging being the only African-American women faculty member in my college, but it has allowed me to break ground and create opportunities for others. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the founder of a non-profit STEM foundation that provides K-12 programming for students throughout Ohio as well as a faculty member. I am most proud of the change that I have brought to the communities I serve. My commitment to bring change and willingness to break down barriers sets me apart from most. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Work Ethic 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: princessofstem
• Facebook: whitney gaskins
• Twitter: princessofstem