CEE Alumnus Jennings Named AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow
June 8, 2022 – De’Von Jennings, who earned his doctorate in civil engineering earlier this year, has been awarded an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (STPF).
The STPF, started in 1973, provides opportunities for outstanding doctoral scientists and engineers to learn firsthand about policymaking while contributing their knowledge and analytical skills to the federal policymaking process. Fellows serve yearlong assignments in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government in Washington, DC.
Jennings will work for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. There, he will focus on infrastructure, natural and water resource management for international disaster assistance.
“Receiving the AAAS fellowship means that I will have the opportunity to utilize and expand on my engineering knowledge on a global scale to help manage and solve humanitarian infrastructure crises including roads, water and agriculture,” said Jennings.
The fellowship includes a stipend, a year of professional development workshops, access to the STPF fellows’ network, professional opportunities for leadership and science communication, and more.
Fellows are selected for demonstrating exceptional competence in their specialty and showing an understanding of the opportunities for science and engineering to support a broad range of non-scientific issues and display a commitment to apply their scientific or technical expertise to serve society. They are also recognized for exhibiting awareness and sensitivity to political, economic and social issues that influence policy and demonstrating initiative, problem-solving ability, leadership capacity, and the flexibility and willingness to address policy issues outside their scientific expertise.
“I believe that this opportunity will open many doors into the future for me as an engineer and help me find out what challenges that I am passionate about,” said Jennings. “I hope to accomplish making great connections and bonds with people and leaders in the developing nations. Ultimately I want to have a career working as a civil environmental engineer building infrastructure on a global scale and interacting with many people from all across the world.”
– Tonya Becerra
