Sonya T. Smith

Present Position

Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Howard University

Chapter Affiliation

Howard University

Background Information

CV
Biography

Statement

I believe the most important role for the next Sigma Xi President is to communicate the importance of science-driven policy for the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. Sigma Xi has an essential role in promoting the value of research and its benefit to the citizens of this country and to the global community. Sigma Xi has produced policy reports on critical issues in science such as Water (2008), Energy (2009), Food Security (2010), that have as their foundation the expertise of its members. We now have an opportunity to revisit these issues in light of emerging threats. My multidisciplinary academic background and research interests give me a unique perspective in promoting Sigma Xi in a way that breaks down siloes. I will therefore be a Sigma Xi President that can effectively communicate the importance of scientific research to a variety of global communities and constituents.

An essential corollary to expanding communication and promoting Sigma Xi research initiatives is raising funds to do so. My record shows that I have been able to raise funds for research projects and transformational initiatives both at the department and institutional level. These projects involved both national and international partners. I will bring the same entrepreneurial spirit to Sigma Xi.

I have a strong commitment to gender equity and developed a program that would better position my university in the promotion and retention of women in STEM faculty. I formed a team for this initiative and we successfully won $3.4 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch the Howard University ADVANCE-IT (HU ADVANCE-IT). The purpose of HU ADVANCE-IT is to attract more women faculty in STEM disciplines at Howard; to ensure more STEM women faculty are prepared for promotion, especially from associate to full professor; and to make a path for women in leadership at Howard. HU ADVANCE-IT also promotes family-friendly policies that benefit both male and female faculty members such as pauses in the tenure-clock for the birth or adoption of a child. In order to have a strong Sigma Xi we must also be able to attract researchers to the society at all stages of their career and facilitate their active participation. To do so we must be strong advocates for an inclusive research environment.

Engaging and retaining young members to be active in Sigma Xi can be best be accomplished by engaging them early in their career in our programs, such as the Research Communications Initiative. I have served as president of the Howard University Chapter of Sigma Xi and have sponsored several student members. I have served as faculty advisor to three student organizations: the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Society for Automotive Engineering (SAE). If elected as the next President of Sigma Xi I will encourage more students to participate by continuing outreach to student chapters of all of the disciplinary organizations. I will ensure that we have a presence at their national conventions to recruit participants in Sigma Xi programs, such as the Grant-in-Aid of Research. As president, I will also work with the Committee on Development to offer more scientific professional development opportunities for students and young faculty to keep them connected to the Sigma Xi society at large.

I value my membership in Sigma Xi and recognize its impact on my career and on that of my colleagues. I still remember a 1994 induction ceremony form my graduate student days in the Rotunda at the University of Virginia in which our guest speaker, Barry Marshall, described his new research on Helicobacter pylori. The honor of my induction into Sigma Xi impressed upon me that I was now part of a research community much larger than my own research lab or discipline. I would be delighted to serve as the next President of Sigma Xi to afford the same opportunities that I had early in my career to other young researchers and to expand Sigma Xi’s footprint in the global policy debates on critical science issues.

An Interview with Dr. Smith

If elected president, what would be your goals, particularly concerning membership, fiscal growth, and policy for Sigma Xi’s future?

One of my goals as Sigma Xi president will be to increase the number and the dollar-amount of awards that the Sigma Xi offers to support research; especially for emerging researchers. I will aggressively pursue fundraising from public and private entities to support this expansion of opportunities. I have experience in raising needed resources in tough institutional financial times. When I took over as chair of the mechanical engineering department in the fall of 2011 we had a severe shortage of laboratory support staff and an ABET accreditation visit looming the next year. There was also a hiring freeze at the university at the time as well as staff reductions. However, in spite of the austere financial climate, I was able to successfully negotiate for two new laboratory staff positions that were in-place when the evaluation team visited. I will fight for and raise needed resources for Sigma Xi with the same vigor and commitment.

Tell us about your most relevant leadership experience.

My most relevant leadership experience is as principal investigator (PI) National Science Foundation (NSF) Howard University ADVANCE-IT (HU ADVANCE-IT). I also have a strong commitment to gender equity and I wanted to create a program that would better position the university in the promotion and retention of its women in STEM faculty. I formed a team for this initiative and we successfully won $3.4 million from  NSF for HU ADVANCE-IT. The purpose of HU ADVANCE-IT is to attract more women faculty in STEM disciplines at Howard; to ensure more STEM women faculty are prepared for promotion, especially from associate to full professor; and to make a path for women in leadership at Howard. HU ADVANCE-IT also promotes family-friendly policies that benefit both male and female faculty members such as pauses in one’s tenure-clock for the birth or adoption of a child. In order to have a strong research community we must be able to attract and retain the best faculty and students. Those potential Sigma Xi members will expect the society to advocate for opportunities for career advancement as well as family friendly policies. As Sigma Xi president I will work with the chapters to ensure the society exceeds this expectation.

What is the most significant issue within Sigma Xi that you would exert time and effort to address? 

If elected Sigma Xi president I will focus on increasing our membership among the next generation of researchers through increased visibility and direct membership outreach on platforms and in spaces frequented by these potential members. I will also increase our partnerships with other professional societies such as the American Physical Society (APS), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Partnering with these and other organizations will increase awareness of Sigma Xi and the benefits of membership.

What particular personal qualities do you possess that might help convince members to vote for you?

Every administrator faces challenges and I do not expect my tenure as Sigma Xi president to be any different. However, I do believe that I possess the emotional intelligence to lead through those challenges with grace, respect, integrity, and with an inclusive spirit. My leadership will not only be data-driven but also holistically person-centered. This approach will foster an environment of respect for Sigma Xi members and staff. It will also foster an environment where all constituency groups have an equitable opportunity for growth and career development.