Dr. Loretta Cheeks is a powerhouse, in every sense of the word. She is recognized globally as a senior executive leader, an entrepreneur, a proud GEM Alumni, a recognized expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI), computing and technology. She’s all that and more.

Yet despite the accolades and honors, what makes her heart beat quicker is helping underserved kids succeed in the sciences as a STEAM educator and advocate.

She formed the Strong TIES STEAM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math), one of the premiere STEAM community-builders based in Metro-Phoenix. They offer events, programs, camps, workshops, international experiences, speaking, and mentoring.

She’s an alumni of GEM, a network of leading corporations, government laboratories, top universities, and top research institutions that enables qualified students from underrepresented communities to pursue graduate education in applied science and engineering.

But, this Doctor of Philosophy cares deeply about inspiring future engineers and creative technologists and being a link in the chain of goodwill. This led her to develop high-impact programs to demystify STEAM with an emphasis on emerging technologies—AI, machine learning, data science, and 2D and 3D game design―for underserved and underrepresented communities to follow in her scientific footsteps.

To learn more about Strong TIES, click here: https://strongtiesaz.org/

Original air date November 3, 2022.