Pamela McCauley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pamela McCauley
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Alma mater | University of Oklahoma (BS, MS, PhD) |
Occupation | Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University |
Notable work
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Winners Don't Quit Today... They Call Me Doctor
Transforming Your STEM Career Through Leadership and Innovation: Inspiration and Strategies for Women Ergonomics: Foundational Principles, Applications and Technologies (Ergonomics Design Mgmt Theory) (Ergonomics Design & Mgmt. Theory & Applications) |
Pamela McCauley is an American engineer born in 1963. She made history as the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in engineering in Oklahoma. Dr. McCauley is a respected professor and a leader in her field.
Early Life and Education
Pamela McCauley became a mother when she was 15 years old. Despite this challenge, she worked hard to achieve her dreams. She earned her bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Her journey shows that with determination, you can overcome obstacles.
In 2013, Dr. McCauley visited the Orlando BETA Center. She spoke to teenage mothers there. She shared her own story to inspire them. She encouraged them to pursue careers in science and technology.
Career and Contributions
Dr. McCauley has held many important roles. She was a visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This is a very famous science and engineering school.
Since 1993, she has been a professor at the University of Central Florida. There, she directs the Ergonomics Laboratory. Ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their work environment. It helps design things to be safe and comfortable for people.
From 2018 to 2020, Dr. McCauley worked for the National Science Foundation. She helped manage a program called I-Core. This program supports new ideas and inventions.
Dr. McCauley also founded T-STEM. This group works to improve STEM education across the country. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. T-STEM helps schools and universities with leadership, diversity, and new ideas in these fields.
Before 2012, she was the chief technology officer for Bush Enterprises. In this role, she helped with technical support and software development.
Published Works
Dr. McCauley has written several books. These books share her knowledge and inspire others.
- Winners Don't Quit: Today They Call Me Doctor (2010)
- Transforming Your STEM Career Through Leadership and Innovation: Inspiration and Strategies for Women (2012)
- Ergonomics: Foundational Principles, Applications and Technologies (2011)
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, Dr. McCauley received a special award. She was named a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. This award recognized her work in using math to understand human factors. She studied how people react in emergencies and how to manage risks during disasters.