A passing comment from the high school French Teacher allowed Shonda Pettiford to leave Florida for Massachusetts to experience the Smith College summer biology program, which changed her life. There she discovered she didn’t love journalism like she thought she would, that she really wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people in the community (particularly in sports and athletics) and that she has a special talent for taking on roles no one has ever held before. Listen to understand the range of experiences Shonda took on to cultivate that superpower. This interview was conducted by Humera Fasihuddin standing in for Tara Rahmani.
Life's Not Linear with Gregory Wilson
Originally from Detroit, then Atlanta, Greg took his love of computer engineering to computer science, then education ultimately earning his Ph.D. and changing the way K12 students are exposed to innovation and making. Along the way, he had many roadblocks preventing him from an academic teaching career in higher ed., but ultimately walked away from Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and University of Georgia with skillsets and mindsets that have led to a very prosperous career. This interview was conducted by Humera Fasihuddin on behalf of Tara Rahmani.