Gwendolyn Boyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gwendolyn Boyd
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Gwendolyn Boyd in 2015
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| Born | December 27, 1955 |
| Known for | President of Alabama State University |
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd (born December 27, 1955) is an American scientist and university leader. She was the president of Alabama State University from 2014 to 2016. Before that, she was the national president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority from 2000 to 2004. She also worked as a mechanical engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Early Life and Education
Gwendolyn Boyd was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 27, 1955. Her mother was Dora Lee McClain. When Gwendolyn was 13, she became an orphan and was raised by her godmother, Emzella Mapson.
Boyd was one of the first five Black students to attend Jefferson Davis High School. She was very good at science and math. She graduated as the top student, or valedictorian, in 1973.
She won a scholarship to Alabama State University. In 1977, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Then, she went to Yale University. In 1979, she earned a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering. She focused on acoustics, which is the study of sound. At Yale, she was the only woman and the only Black person in her program. After finishing her studies, she worked briefly for IBM in Kingston, New York.
Working at Johns Hopkins
In 1980, Gwendolyn Boyd joined the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). This lab is in Laurel, Maryland. She first worked in the Strategic Systems Department. Here, she tested and checked systems that help submarines navigate.
Later, in 1998, Boyd moved into a leadership role. She became responsible for the APL's development programs. She also joined Johns Hopkins' Diversity Leadership Council. This group works to make the university a welcoming place for everyone. She led this council from 2003 to 2005.
From 2000 to 2004, Boyd served as the national president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. This is a large organization for college-educated women. In 2009, the Obama administration chose her to be on the board of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship foundation. This foundation helps college students who want to study science, math, and engineering.
Leading Alabama State University
In December 2013, Gwendolyn Boyd's old university, Alabama State University, announced she would be their next president. She started this role in February 2014. She was the first woman to ever hold this important position at the university.
Her time as president ended in December 2016.
