LaShan Simpson Hendrix/Date Honored: 2025 (announcement date unspecified)
Location: Recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Championing Black Excellence in STEM
BLACK EXCELLENCE! At the heart of this year’s major honors is Dr. LaShan Simpson Hendrix, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. She’s the recipient of the 2025 AAAS Mentor Award, a prestigious accolade from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, recognizing her extraordinary leadership and tireless commitment to mentoring Black, first-generation, and underrepresented students into STEM careers.
Mentorship That Moves the Needle
Dr. Hendrix’s award stems from her work at Mississippi State University and now at University of Cincinnati, where she has:
- Mentored more than a dozen students who have gone on to complete master’s and Ph.D. programs
- Supported hundreds more informally, making higher education and scientific research accessible to first-generation students from diverse backgrounds
Mentees consistently praise her “warmth” and how she helped them apply for competitive positions, guided them through the intimidating steps of applying to grad school, and delivered real research skills. Many still credit her—long after graduation—with maintaining contact and being a true lifelong mentor. (aaas.org, Science)
From Rural Roots to STEM Trailblazer
Dr. Hendrix often reflects on her own journey growing up in Clinton, South Carolina, a small rural town with underfunded schools. She shares her story openly—how she was the product of a single mom, attended a school system that ranked last in the state, and yet never let that define her potential. “Stubbornness got me here,” she laughs. Her transparency, presence, and relatability have given her students someone they can truly see themselves in.
One of her first Ph.D. students nominated her for this award, securing support letters from across her mentee network. When she heard the news, she said being honored meant “everything.”
Why This Matters for Black America
This award isn’t just about one woman’s achievements—it represents every Black and first-generation student who’s been guided into STEM by a mentor who looked like them, believed in them, and walked beside them into spaces that too often said they didn’t belong.
Dr. Hendrix is not just teaching the next generation of scientists—she is raising them, with compassion, visibility, and a fiery belief in what our people can do when given the chance.
We’re Celebrating Loud and Proud
In 2025, as Black excellence rises from boardrooms to academic labs, Dr. LaShan Simpson Hendrix reminds us: representation isn’t enough. We need advocates, supporters, and mentors who keep pushing, keep raising, and keep demanding that Black futures matter.
