FAPSS grant presents ‘STEM like a girl’

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to “STEM like a girl,” Robeson Community College has a great opportunity lined up for you.

The First Americans’ Pathway to STEM success (FAPSS) grant will present its first guest speaker, Heather Oxendine, in the ‘STEM like a girl’ series on Tuesday, August 31 at 6:00 p.m.

The event will be broadcast virtually.

“We are trying to increase the number of women enrolled in STEM programs,” said Phyllis Locklear, project coordinator for the FAPSS grant at RCC. “We hope that this series will help to encourage females, and empower them, to go into STEM related professions and to not be intimidated.”

Heather Oxendine is a graduate of Robeson Community College’s Electrical Electronics program, and transferred to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to receive her bachelor’s degree. She currently works for Duke Energy as an Initiative Management Manager in the Capital Investment Strategy division.

Early on during her tenure at Duke Energy, Heather served as an engineering technologist, project manager, and work management support supervisor. Prior to working for the energy giant, Heather worked in engineering positions with Metcon and Coastal Plains Engineering.

“Heather has been very successful in her career and we hope others will be inspired by her story,” said Locklear.

Heather frequently speaks to youth groups about careers in engineering and the importance of STEM. She is looking forward to speaking with RCC students on Tuesday.

“When I was at RCC, I was the only woman in the class. This prepared me for what my work life would eventually be like,” said Heather Oxendine. “I hope to be able to remove the stigma that many females have about going into a male-dominated profession, such as electrical engineering, and motivate other women to go after their dreams and ‘STEM like a girl.’”

To register for the event, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2d4rp747. The event is free and is open to the general public.