After beginning as a product developer at 3M 19 years ago, I feel fortunate to have had a diverse range of career experiences, including roles as an individual contributor and as a people leader. Our teams and market solutions have favorably impacted billions of people, enhancing workplace safety, business performance, and experiences at homes around the world. I presently serve as a senior executive leading a diverse international organization spanning dozens of countries worldwide. Our family is active in our community, and we have plenty of reason to be optimistic about the future.
From modest beginnings and especially the care of a devoted, sacrificial single mother, it was institution-funded engineering education that clearly served as the lever to open so many of these opportunities. It is therefore a deeply personal honor to serve as Secretary on the National GEM Consortium (GEM) Board of Directors. From this vantage point into GEM and its mission, I am delighted to see how the vision of institutional sponsors couple with the aspiration of brilliant students to help meet the nation’s need to maintain competitiveness in science and engineering disciplines.
- Dr. Cordell Hardy, Senior Vice President, Corporate R&D Operations, 3M Company
The National "GEM" Consortium is a great organization! Our collaborative partnership with GEM gives Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University an opportunity to work with top level diverse students, companies, and laboratories across the United States.
Tremayne “Trey” Waller, PhD
Director of Graduate Student Programs
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
For more than 40 years, GEM has been the pre-eminent graduate school funding organization for under-represented students seeking advanced degrees in science and engineering. I first learned of GEM from Dr. Howard Adams when I was an under-graduate engineering student at Purdue University in 1984. Dr. Adams and the GEM program changed the course of my life. With the help of GEM, I received my Master's in Electrical Engineering and later completed my PhD in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University. The GEM program gave me the confidence that I could take on technically difficult challenges and complete them successfully. The program provided access to experienced professionals and academic experts that pushed me to achieve my career goals. With this firm foundation, and with the continued support of the GEM family, I am now Vice President of Technology Development at IBM Corporation. The GEM program enabled me to achieve my aggressive professional goals and because of their support, I proudly serve on the Board of Directors of the GEM Foundation. I am committed to give back to the community and organization that helped me when I was just beginning my journey. Thank you GEM Foundation!!
Lam shares GEM’s belief that, “greater diversity amplifies the technology industry’s positive impact on our communities,” Seeing first-hand the energy and dedication that GEM fellows and interns have brought to Lam. “Partnering with GEM is about opening doors for the next generation, while advancing innovation within the semiconductor and technology industries.”
Tim Archer, President/CEO, Lam Research Corp
and 2020 GEM Board Chair
The National GEM Consortium has been a key enabler of my career and my life. This organization gave me the opportunity to obtain a master's and doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Through GEM, I had the opportunity to intern at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, an experience that changed the conjecture of my career and made me realize what I wanted to do with my life. Eventually my experiences at Oak Ridge led me to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where I serve as the associate laboratory director for Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences.
GEM is an incredible network of corporations, laboratories, and research institutions that enables qualified students from underrepresented communities to pursue graduate degrees in applied science and engineering. After more than forty years, the program has an outstanding record of identifying and supporting talented graduate students who later become highly successful academics, business leaders, and scientists. I’m proud of the strong partnership that NREL and the GEM program have created and equally proud to be called a GEM Alum.
Johney Green Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Laboratory Director
Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
I am the assistant dean for graduate studies in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University. In my role as assistant dean I am the primary recruiter of graduate students to our MS and PhD programs. I have been the GEM University Representative for the last decade, and during that time I have also served on the GEM Board of Directors.
When I became involved with GEM, I soon recognized that no other fellowship program or organization gave us access to hundreds of underrepresented minority students to proactively recruit to our graduate programs. Just over ten years ago we had about 30 underrepresented minority PhD students. In Fall 2018 we reached 99, which was triple the number we had a decade earlier.
I have the overwhelming credit to GEM which allows us to recruit from the database of GEM Fellowship applicants. Companies and universities that proactively recruit GEM Fellowship applicants and later GEM Fellows will see dramatic changes in their work forces and student bodies.
Bruce A. Lindvall, PhD
Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
Northwestern University
The National GEM Consortium is the No. 1 resource for advance Degree STEM talent. Every company interested in a diverse workforce should be a member of the Consortium.
They have been there for me in pivotal phases of my life. the National GEM Consortium supported my MS Degree, inspired me to get my PhD, enabled me to get my PhD, and helped transition into a job in academia. It has been my privilege to see this organization grow its mission to increase enhance the value of the nation’s human capital through more diverse representation.
The National GEM Consortium has been a tremendously positive influence in my life. Not only did this organization provide invaluable financial support for my graduate studies, the experience as a GEM fellow opened my eyes to what industry had to offer students in the STEM fields. My decision to serve on the Board was driven by a desire to give back but also inspired by the aspirations and dedication of the group of professionals that are so committed to the success of this exceptional organization.