Dr. Calvin Mackie '90 is revolutionizing K-12 STEM education with his nonprofit organization, STEM NOLA. As an engineer, professor, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, husband, and father, Dr. Mackie holds a unique blend of roles that contribute to his impactful work in the community.
After becoming the first African American to receive tenure at the Tulane University School of Engineering, Dr. Mackie faced a significant career shift in 2007 when Tulane disbanded its engineering school due to financial challenges following Hurricane Katrina. Rather than seeking another faculty position, he chose to create a new educational environment. Drawing on his teaching experience and deep ties to the New Orleans community, Dr. Mackie founded STEM NOLA in 2013. This hands-on, community-focused initiative is dedicated to making STEM accessible to all K-12 students.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Dr. Mackie’s engineering journey began with building and assembling creations from materials found at his father's roofing business job sites. At the age of nine, after assembling a toy car kit, his uncle predicted, "He's going to be an engineer!" Despite not knowing what an engineer was or how to spell it, young Calvin embraced this identity, fueled by his love for building and creating.
A shoulder injury in high school ended his basketball scholarship prospects, but it led him to a pivotal moment in his STEM journey. He attended an eight-week summer science program at Morehouse College, where he found his passion for engineering. Although Morehouse did not offer an engineering program, Dr. Mackie took advantage of a dual degree option, starting at Morehouse and transferring to Georgia Tech. His summer program performance earned him a scholarship to Morehouse, where he excelled in mathematics and eventually transferred to Georgia Tech to complete his engineering studies.
STEM NOLA is Dr. Mackie’s innovative response to the traditional classroom setting. By bringing education directly to the community, STEM NOLA provides hands-on learning experiences that inspire and educate K-12 students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program aims to ignite curiosity and foster a love for STEM in students who might not otherwise have access to such resources.
Through his dedication and vision, Dr. Mackie is not only transforming the educational landscape but also empowering the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators.
Congratulations to Dr. Calvin Mackie on his incredible achievements and continued efforts to make STEM education accessible and engaging for all students. His work with STEM NOLA is an inspiration to the Morehouse community and beyond.
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Alumni Achievement