From VCU to UGA: How mentorship inspired a VCU engineer to pursue a career in academia
Racheida Lewis, Ph.D., a 2013 Virginia Commonwealth University electrical engineering graduate, credits her alma mater with providing the foundation for her career as an assistant professor at the University of Georgia.
Lewis, who grew up in Washington, D.C., said VCU’s welcoming atmosphere and strong engineering program drew her to the university. “When I arrived on campus for the first time, it felt like home,” she said. “The experience was transformative. I learned resilience and persistence, both skills helped me thrive.”
Several faculty members played pivotal roles in Lewis’ development. She credits Electrical Engineering Professors Rosalyn Hobson-Hargraves, Ph.D., Afroditi V. Filippas, Ph.D. and Michael Cabral, Ph.D. for their mentorship and support in becoming the successful engineer she is today.
Hobson-Hargraves was the first faculty member Lewis met on campus through her participation in the Summer Transition Program as part of the Virginia–North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. “Having Black teachers was common for me,” Lewis said. “But I didn’t realize what a unique experience it was to form a connection with a Black female in electrical and computer engineering. She remained invested in my success since I began my studies.”
Lewis was also encouraged by Filippas, who was her introduction to electrical and computer engineering instructor. “I remember at the end of the first day of class, she stopped me and some of the other women and said: ‘If you ever need anything, and I mean anything, please feel free to come to me. We need more women in engineering.’ I have admired her ever since and made it part of my mission to make her proud,” Lewis said.
During the last semesters of her engineering degree, Lewis struggled with some advanced coursework. “Dr. Cabral saw potential in me I didn’t see in myself,” Lewis said. “When I didn’t understand something, he took the time to explain and help me learn important engineering concepts. My experience with Dr. Cabral’s kindness made me realize I wanted to become a faculty member. And it was his letter of recommendation that got me into grad school at UVA.”
Beyond academics, Lewis’s involvement in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) was crucial. She served as chapter president, holding regional and national leadership positions. The organization helped Lewis hone her leadership skills and provided internship opportunities.
“Joining NSBE at VCU was one of the most important decisions I made in my undergraduate career,” she said. “The experience with the organization also helps me relate to and advise my current students.”
Today, Lewis teaches electrical and computer engineering at the University of Georgia and conducts research on improving access to engineering education. She also serves as NSBE’s chapter advisor at the University of Georgia in Athens. “I aspire to be like Drs. Hobson Hargraves, Filippas and Cabral. To me, they are model educators and I strive to be like them,” Lewis said.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perform real-world research as soon as they enroll. From delving into the intricacies of circuits to understanding computer programming, electromagnetics and more, students gain understanding of many important engineering topics. Browse videos and recent news from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Alumni, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Graduate Student Stories, Student Stories