Bermudian Ph.D Candidate Awarded Fellowship
Bermudian Shushannah Bartley-Smith is pursuing her Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and has been awarded the prestigious Ford Foundation Fellowship.
Ms Bartley-Smith hopes to become a university professor and serve as a director of a minority education program focused on STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) majors. “Minorities are underrepresented in these fields, and I want to help increase awareness and the number of professional/educated minorities in the STEM areas,” she said.
“I came to UAH to earn a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering so that I could give back to my students,” Ms Bartley-Smith said. “I want to be the type of professor who has practical, industry experience and thus can give students a real-world view of how their education will factor into their careers.
That fellowship will help alleviate the burden of working while attending classes. The purpose of the Ford Foundation Fellowship, she said, is to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students. She approached Dr. Dawn Bardot, her advisor, for help on seeking the fellowship.
“Dr. Bardot suggested I go on the web and Google fellowships, and that’s what I did,” says Ms Bartley-Smith. “I looked up fellowships for women, engineers, and minorities.” What came up was the Ford Foundation Fellowship, a pre-doctoral fellowship that includes a stipend of $20,000 per year and $2,000 per semester tuition allowance for up to three years.
Ms Bartley-Smith — the daughter of Dr. Judith Bartley — decided to apply, but she says was warned by many not to be overly optimistic about her chances.
“It was the first fellowship I’d ever applied for in my entire life, and everyone said ‘Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get it the first time, because you’re just learning the process.’ So I went through the whole thing looking at it as learning opportunity.”
Dr. Keith Hollingsworth, Professor and Chair of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, said he has been impressed with Ms Bartley-Smith’s intelligence and drive.
“I am not surprised that the proposal Shushannah developed and submitted went on to win such a prestigious scholarship,” he said. “I know Shushannah to be a delightful and remarkably enthusiastic young lady, and we in the MAE Department are very proud of her.”
Just as proud was Dr. Shankar Mahalingam, Dean of the College of Engineering. “The Ford Foundation scholarship is among the most prestigious awards that will allow Shushannah to complete her Ph.D.,” he said. “In addition, it provides tremendous national visibility to our faculty research in the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.”
Ms Bartley-Smith says this praise and other kudos she has received have humbled her. “I didn’t expect it,” she says. “I thought ‘Yea, me!’, but I didn’t think anyone else would be excited! Because I didn’t do it for the notoriety; I just wanted to pay for school.”
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Congrats on such a prestigious award!!
Shushannah be careful of adopting American culture, “Minorities are underrepresented in these fields, and I want to help increase awareness and the number of professional/educated minorities in the STEM areas,” she said.
Black people are the majority in Bermuda. If you’re going to teach you’d be best served doing it here.
And the world I might add! Well done.
yeh. you could apply for the Chair in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Bermuda College
Lol talk about putting your education to the test!
Wonderful, all the best with your studies!
Congratulations, Shushannah!! I know your mom (and your aunt-in-heaven) are very proud of you! Keep your head up, come back home and make a difference here. You have soooo much to offer.
Blessings
Congrats Mrs. Smith!!!
I was taught in undergrad by Mrs. Smith and worked alongside her as a professional. Amazing accomplishment and person keep shooting for the stars!
I dont know this lady at all but this story brings me joy. Congrats!!
good story…..beats signing up for the nail technician training….just goes to show if our public school system was in better shape, we would have 1000 Bermudian students following her…..
go ahead cousin, you are doing the family quite proud
Congrats!! Ms. Smith, well done and keep striving towards your goal.
Congrats!! Ms. Smith, well done and keep striving towards your goal. I know your mom is very proud of your accomplishments.
Congrats Dr. Bartley!!
@future…agreed Blacks are the Majority in the world…Everywhere we go we hear that we are minorities…That is a big lie…
Honestly; WHO CARES !?!?!?! black, white, blue, brown….freakin he**! “everywhere we go” hahahaha YOU LIVE IN BERMUDA! tell me who’s the minority there?!
and the nerve to say all research is wrong…jeekums bie. get ya act together…i dno where u been traveling kid.
check the chinese out
Congratulations and continue to peruse your dreams. Your balance and desire to be successful is evident and I wish u much success!
Allahu Akbar! God is Greater! Congratulations and all the best to you. This story makes me happy
Personally I do not know the young lady, but it does my heart good to see our young people progressing aggressively. Congratulations and continue to aim for the sky because even if you fall among the stars you are still on higher ground.
Congratulations young lady, You can pursue your dreams anywhere in the world, many doors are opening up for black people and so glad you are taking advantage, you will be an asset!
WOW! congrats, a PhD is no easy task
Proud to be Bermudian!! Congratulations Dr.Bartley Smith what an awesome achievement. I don’t know you from Eve but I was very happy to read about you and you exemplify to others that with hard work i.e “sticking to the wicket” we can do all do great things and achieve our goals.
All our very best wishes to your future, which is not only bright but dazzling!!
@ Jordan Ess – although blacks are the majority in Bermuda, they are the minority of professionals in Bermuda. And yes Blacks may be very good at populating this Earth, yet they play a very little role in running it and that is the truth.
Congrats Dr. Bartley-Smith! You are an inspiration already. The years will go by quick.