LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholars Program

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Intersectional Mentoring Networking Model
Adapted from the work of Walker, G. E., Golde, C. M., Jones, L., Bueschel, A. C., & Hutchings, P. (2009). The formation of scholars: Rethinking doctoral education for the twenty-first century (Vol. 11). John Wiley & Sons.

Leading Engineering as Agents of Change and Equity (LEGACY) 

Founded by Ohio State College of Engineering Dean Ayanna Howard in 2021, the LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholars Program was established to prepare and diversify the next generation of engineering leaders in academia. While LEGACY is designed to develop underrepresented minority scholars, the program is open to all qualified applicants regardless of racial or ethnic identity.

Why Ohio State

A unique feature of the LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholars Program at Ohio State is its focus on intersectional mentorship. Scholars and mentors will engage in authentic conversations that promote a culture of inclusivity.

Additional program features include:

  • Engagement with professional and personal mentors
  • Participation in a two-year cohort with other LEGACY postdocs
  • Establishment of a community co-created by scholars
  • Professional development in areas of need for success as a tenure-track faculty
  • Formative and summative professional feedback about progress
  • Transition to a faculty position in the College of Engineering

Our Goals

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Message from our Dean

 

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Disciplinary Focus

2023-2024 LEGACY Disciplinary Focus 

The LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholar will hold a primary appointment in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering. Two postdoctoral positions are anticipated, with primary mentors in one of the aforementioned departments. Given disciplinary and research interests, joint appointments and funding may be explored.

Seven LEGACY Scholars, along with Program Director Monica Cox, stand outside.
Current cohort of LEGACY Scholars

Scholars will be expected to: 

  • Establish an independent line of research, focusing on addressing bias and inequity in engineering design, as manifested in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-centric computing, robotics, RF systems, additively manufactured electronic components and systems, circuits, electronic devices, feedback control and technology for social justice. Of particular interest is the co-design of hardware and software. Candidates should demonstrate the potential for achievement in these areas, including plans for further growth.  
  • Participate actively in professional development seminars on a variety of topics, including fiscal and grant management, leadership, research, teaching and academic publishing.

  • Form research, teaching and personal networks to inform their holistic success as a scholar.

  • Engage in department, college, university and disciplinary communities that promote scholars’ professional and personal advancement.

  • Engage in one-on-one and group sessions with primary, secondary and intersectional mentors who will guide and critique scholars’ progress.

  • Reflect and respond to formative and summative feedback of scholarly progress to advance their career trajectory.

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Accordions

  • LEGACY Scholar Tatiana Cuellar-Gaviria works in the lab.
    LEGACY Scholar Tatiana Cuellar-Gaviria, PhD
    Co-developed, personalized postdoc mentoring plan with targeted goals
  • Inclusion in daily aspects of engineering department cultures
  • Training in grants creation and management, research program development and career mapping
  • Internal and external networking opportunities to advance scholarship and professional brand
  • One-on-one coaching throughout experience
  • Formative feedback and updates in biweekly meetings
  • Annual mentor team evaluations

Our Team

Monica Cox

Dr. Monica Cox

LEGACY Program Director

Jameka Wiggins (headshot)

Jameka Wiggins

LEGACY Graduate Research Associate