Dr. Jerrod A. Henderson (“Dr. J”) is the Director of the Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies and instructional associate professor in the Cullen College of Engineering. As the co-founder or St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy, his work focuses on the development of out-of-school STEM interventions for K-12 students, the implementation of innovative strategies in engineering classrooms, and student engagement. Henderson is PI on two NSF funded projects and Co-PI on another which all focus on the engagement of underrepresented (UR) students in engineering. For his work he has been recognized as an Inspiring Leader in STEM by Insight into Diversity Magazine (2017), a Young Alumni Achievement Award by University of Illinois (2019); and the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award, at the 34th Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) STEM Conference (2020).