In Episode 6 of the Why STEM Podcast, Dr. Rameesh Madourie sits down with Jess Hastings, Senior Vice President at Benesch, to explore the intersection of civil engineering, mentorship, and shaping the next generation of STEM leaders.

Jess shares his journey from being a curious kid building with LEGOs in Nebraska to leading major infrastructure projects that shape communities. More importantly, he talks about his passion for investing in students, bridging the gap between industry and education, and why engineers need to do a better job of showing just how cool and impactful this field can be.

💡 Key Topics in this Episode:

How early experiences and role models shaped Jess’s path into civil engineering

The evolving field of civil engineering and the role of new technology

Mentorship’s critical role in inspiring students to pursue STEM careers

Advice for students, young engineers, and professionals considering leadership

How companies and schools can partner to make STEM more accessible

✨ “Not every kid wants to do engineering—and that’s fine. But when even one student asks another question or sparks an interest, that’s amazing. It’s a feeling you can’t describe.” – Jess Hastings

Whether you’re a student, educator, or STEM professional, this episode will leave you inspired about the power of engineering to build both structures and futures.

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What happens when a student struggling in precalculus becomes a tech leader in software engineering? In this episode of the Why STEM Podcast, Dr. Rameesh Madourie sits down with Zach Neihman, a mechanical engineer turned software leader, to explore how powerful mentorship, failure, and self-discovery can spark a lifelong passion for STEM.

Zach opens up about the pivotal moment in high school when his math teacher, Coach Johnson, refused to let him quit. That "no" changed the course of his life. From overcoming early academic struggles to finding his path through engineering, software development, leadership, and even poetry, Zach’s story is a powerful reminder that nonlinear journeys are strengths.

🎧 Whether you're a student, educator, career-changer, or STEM enthusiast, this episode will inspire you to redefine what success in STEM looks like.

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In this powerful episode of the Why STEM Podcast, Dr. Fernando Branch joins host Dr. Rameesh Madourie to share his remarkable journey from Memphis to becoming a transformative leader in STEAM education. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Branch reflects on his early challenges, the inequities he witnessed firsthand, and the pivotal educators who changed his life.

He dives deep into:
The realities and misconceptions of school turnaround work
How STEAM education can drive equity and social mobility
The role of students in shaping their success
His groundbreaking research on law enforcement's impact on Black male principals
The origin story of Colorado Men of Color and the power of community healing

This episode is a must-watch for educators, leaders, and changemakers striving to break barriers and create intentional, inclusive, and high-impact learning environments.

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What does bold leadership look like in the face of uncertainty, failure, and change?
In this episode of the Why STEM Podcast, Frannie Matthews, tech executive, former CEO of the Colorado Technology Association, and educator, shares powerful lessons on leading through crisis, embracing failure, and trusting a beginner’s mindset.

From navigating an undiagnosed learning difference to rising through the ranks of IBM and leading during the pandemic, Frannie’s story is packed with truth, strategy, and resilience for leaders at every level.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why doing nothing is often the riskiest decision
✅ How Frannie overcame the limits of suspected dyslexia and self-doubt
✅ The value of foundational learning in the age of AI
✅ How her hospitality background shaped her tech career
✅ What bold leadership looks like — even when you’re afraid
✅ Practical advice for women in STEM and emerging leaders

Who is this episode for?
→ Emerging leaders in tech and education
→ High school/college students considering STEM careers
→ Women navigating leadership roles
→ Educators, mentors, and decision-makers shaping the future of STEM

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What does it take to turn setbacks into leadership success? 

In this episode of the Why STEM Podcast, host Dr. Rameesh Madourie talks with Nahjee Maybin, CEO of Kenyatta Computer Services, about how failure, grit, and resilience shaped his path from a multicultural, military upbringing to earning two STEM degrees and leading his own tech company by the age of 26. 

Nahjee shares real-life lessons on why delaying gratification matters, how to embrace challenges (even when they seem impossible — like earning a Geophysics degree), and why doing something is always better than living with regret. 

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

✅ How failure became the foundation for Nahjee’s leadership journey
 ✅ Lessons from pursuing a Math and Geophysical Engineering degree
 ✅ How his multicultural upbringing gave him a global leadership perspective
 ✅ The mindset shift that helped him navigate setbacks & career pivots
 ✅ Why resilience matters for young professionals and future leaders
 ✅ Practical advice for students & professionals on facing challenges head-on 

 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK3VmbmDrJI&list=PLdBOgOf389-6xAQnzHRGs5zmw7NWSHeHc

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Told he couldn’t be an engineer — now a licensed Civil Engineer building bridges in Colorado.

In this powerful first episode of the Why STEM Podcast, host Dr. Rameesh Madourie sits down with Kemmy Mizinga, a first-generation African-American Civil Engineer, to explore the highs and lows of pursuing a career in STEM.

Kemmy shares how a high school counselor’s doubt nearly derailed his dreams — and how grit, mentorship, and resilience helped him break the mold and achieve success in the engineering world.

If you’re a student, educator, parent, or STEM professional looking for real stories that inspire and empower, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Kemmy turned academic rejection into fuel for success
• The mindset of a first-generation immigrant family pursuing STEM
• Why mentorship and representation matter in engineering
• What it takes to thrive in STEM even when the odds are stacked against you
• Advice for students struggling with math and confidence

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Welcome to the Why STEM Podcast, where we ignite curiosity, break barriers, and empower the next generation of STEM leaders. Hosted by Dr. Rameesh Madourie, this show is dedicated to students, educators, professionals, and changemakers who believe that STEM education should be accessible, inspiring, and transformative. 

In this brief intro episode, Dr. Madourie shares:
 ✅ Why the Why STEM Podcast was created
 ✅ Who this podcast is for (students, first-gen leaders, educators, professionals)
 ✅ What you can expect from future episodes — real stories, raw truths, and powerful insights from diverse voices in STEM 

Whether you're navigating a STEM career, teaching the next generation, or searching for stories that inspire, this is your community. This is your podcast. 

Send us a text

Support the show

✅ Subscribe to the Why STEM Podcast — new episodes every Wednesday
✅ Partner with us: [email protected]
✅ Follow us on YouTube: Why STEM Podcast