Jerrod A. Henderson

Dr. Jerrod A. Henderson ("Dr. J") is an Assistant Professor in the William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering. His academic journey began at Morehouse College and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University where he earned dual degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering through the Atlanta University Center's Dual Degree in Engineering Program. He completed his Ph.D. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he was a NASA Harriet G. Jenkins Graduate Fellow.

Dr. Henderson's educational background includes:

• Ph.D., Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Graduate Teacher Certificate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• M.S., Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
• B.S., Chemistry, Morehouse College

Dr. Henderson's research focuses on engineering identity development among underrepresented students, particularly African American males. His Henderson Research Group (HRG) is recognized as "trailblazers" in broadening participation in engineering using innovative methods like photovoice and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). HRG pursues four interconnected research thrusts: engineering identity success mechanisms, experiences of Black male engineering advanced degree seekers, engineering identity among young boys of color, and global engineering identity. His work has significantly contributed to understanding how underrepresented students navigate STEM pathways and develop professional identities.

Analysis of Dr. Henderson's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward qualitative, identity-focused research in engineering education with particular emphasis on Black male experiences. His work spans multiple educational levels from elementary interventions through graduate studies, consistently applying interpretative methodologies to understand identity formation. The publications demonstrate increasing recognition of his research approach, with publications in high-impact engineering education journals and growing citation counts.

Dr. Henderson's scientific recognition includes:

• National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2023)
• UH Undergraduate Research Mentor Award (2024)
• Black Engineer of the Year Award for College-Level Promotion of Engineering Education (2021)
• INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine's Inspiring Leaders in STEM Award (2017)
• Young Alumni Achievement Award from University of Illinois (2019)

As an advisor, Dr. Henderson mentors multiple graduate and undergraduate students through the Henderson Research Group, focusing on qualitative research in engineering education. He previously served as Director of the Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES), which increased engineering student achievement and graduation rates. His grant portfolio includes significant funding from the National Science Foundation, particularly the prestigious CAREER award. Dr. Henderson is also the co-founder of the St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy (SEBA), an educational intervention exposing underrepresented fourth and fifth-grade students to hands-on STEM experiences.

Dr. Henderson leads the Henderson Research Group (HRG), also known as the Broadening Participation in Engineering Across Lifespans (B-PEAL) initiative. The research group includes graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and a Research Assistant Professor, working collaboratively on projects that investigate engineering identity development across multiple educational stages. HRG is particularly known for its innovative methodological approaches to studying underrepresented populations in engineering.