Black History Month & Women's History Month Keynote Address--“Diversity in Science: Reflections from Dr. Magalene Powell-Meeks”

As JPL s first Deputy Director for IT/Deputy Chief Information Officer, Dr. Magalene Powell-Meeks is responsible for making sure all of the lab's information technology needs are met. Powell-Meeks came to JPL as a student intern with the Cooperative Education Program almost 22 years ago from Talladega College, a historically black college in Alabama. She worked at JPL for six months and got hooked on Southern California's sunny weather. After receiving her physics degree from Talladega, she returned to JPL to work full time as a junior instrumentation systems engineer. Powell-Meeks believes knowledge is power. While working at JPL, she went back to school to earn advanced degrees in engineering management, computer science, and information systems. She will speak about her own educational experiences, particularly at a historically black college, how she has navigated the culture of science as a woman, and her thoughts on the expanding leadership role of women. Lunch will be provided. RSVP online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MagPowell-Meeks.