Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Tuskegee University STEM students enjoyed a collaboration with South African students through a partnership with Honeywell and the Womxn Connect Exchange Program, created by Dr. Rhonda Collier.
This spring, a cadre of women professors – six American, four South African -- taught students in classrooms and through exchange sessions in different locations in the U.S. and Johannesburg. The WCEP program began in November 2022, and the physical visits to Tuskegee and South Africa began with an online mentorship exchange program for women in STEM.
In April, South African students from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg visited Clark-Atlanta University and Honeywell in Atlanta, before traveling to Tuskegee as part of the in-person exchange program. As guests on campus for several days, the South African women lived in Lewis Adams Hall, toured campus museums and attended lectures and presentations by Tuskegee faculty.
“Tuskegee has such rich history, and being surrounded by intelligent, kind, and driven women from this area, I discovered new depths of motivation and collaboration,” said Lindo Mtsweni, a senior in aerospace engineering from Witwatersrand. “This experience has reignited my passion for growth and knowledge sharing.”
The themes for the program included aviation, environmental science, healthcare and engineering to cultivate innovative solutions with a global impact. In May, Tuskegee representatives spent 10 days traveling and touring Johannesburg, South Africa. In addition to enjoying lectures, the students visited Soweto and the Mandela House; the Museum of Illusions; interacted with the Honeywell team for a presentation, enjoyed a safari, and visited the Apartheid Museum before returning to the United States.
“The most meaningful part of the trip was witnessing how much we flourish in South Africa as a different branch of the Black diaspora,” said Haley Duncan, a sophomore Computer Science major. “It truly showed how successful and influential we can be on a global scale.”
Honeywell sponsored the student travel and provided a venue for students to share ideas and receive feedback from industry professionals in the United States and South Africa.
“We have expanded our reach through a formal partnership with Honeywell, integrating corporate mentorship, support, and resources,” said Dr. Collier. “The curriculum incorporated real-world case studies and preparations for Honeywell presentations, emphasizing practical applications of international business strategies in STEM industries.”
Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO, said it is programs like this that help expose our students to the world to ensure they are well-rounded citizens as they pursue professional careers in STEM.
“I commend Dr. Collier and all of those involved for creating an experience that our students will remember forever, but will also inspire their curiosity about world culture,” said Dr. Brown. “As students focused on STEM it is important that they understand the world around them and are able to navigate those cultures as well.”
The Provost agrees.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from Honeywell,” said Dr. Thierno Thiam, Provost and Senior Vice President. “It plays a crucial role in our strategy to expand or global efforts and erase borders that may limit our students’ education or experience.”
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