MEL #017 | From Shop Class to STEM Changemaker through a Season of Yes with Dr. Whitney Gaskins

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Whitney Gaskins. The Associate Dean of Professional Development and Community Impact at the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science.Whitney grew up in rural Ohio, influenced by her parents—teachers of art and physics—who nurtured both her creativity and analytical thinking. Initially aiming for medicine, a shop class and a Time magazine article introduced her to biomedical engineering, which she pursued through a bachelor's, master's in quantitative analysis, and a PhD. Along the way, her curiosity led her to study stress in engineering students and eventually launch a career in academia.In our leadership segment, Whitney discusses how she led the creation of two departments from the ground up at the University of Cincinnati, including one focused on engineering education and another on professional development and community impact. She shared how visionary leadership, paired with clear communication and strategic stakeholder engagement, enabled her to transform abstract ideas into thriving programs.Whitney encourages engineers to pursue leadership not just for career growth but to become more impactful problem-solvers. She advises aspiring leaders to become deeply self-aware, get to know others' preferences, listen before speaking, and embrace the discomfort of new beginnings as part of the growth journey.Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/