Dr. Valerie P. Bennett

Dr. Valerie Bennett is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, and a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, both from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

She was then an Engineering Professor and Regents' Engineering Transfer Program Advisor at Georgia Perimeter College. Afterward, she taught Advanced Placement Physics and IB Physics and led the Physics Professional Learning Community at Westlake High School, where she served on the Fulton County Vanguard Team while also completing research with students at Georgia Tech as part of the GIFT Program.

Dr. Bennett has been a Research Coordinator for the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program and was awarded the Innovative Teaching Award by the Georgia Independent Schools Association. She has served as the Morehouse Coordinator for the Dual Degree Engineering Program and Faculty Advisor for several student organizations, including the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Physics Students, the Society of Women Engineers (Spelman College), and Packard Scholars.

She has served as a Board Member and STEM Advisory Board Member of the Atlanta Cares Mentoring Organization, established by Susan Taylor, former editor of Essence Magazine, and has organized several community projects in the Greater Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America.

In 2014, she established STEM Compass, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to navigate, educate, and motivate young people in STEM-focused careers and entrepreneurship. The organization's three pillars — skill-building, mind-building, and visioneering — have helped serve nearly 1,000 students each year. STEM Compass has built partnerships with organizations including Google, Clorox, the City of Atlanta, ATLRead, PPG, LMS Engineering, Georgia Tech, the Atlanta Science Festival, and FIRST Robotics.

Dr. Bennett is one of the co-editors of Overcoming Barriers for Women of Color in STEM Fields: Emerging Research and Opportunities, produced by PLR Consulting, presenting research and solutions for broadening participation and retention of women of color in STEM.

Valerie has been involved in several ministries at Temple of Faith COGIC, where she has been a member for over 20 years. She has coordinated Vacation Bible School, worked with the Minister's Wives, run a tutorial program, co-organized a Job Fair, and started a Health and Wellness Program. She also formed the Robotics Ministry as part of the Scholastic Motivation Ministries and holds an Evangelist license.

In 2015, she and her husband, Dr. Harold Bennett, launched what has grown into the Pentecost for Life Foundation, whose mission is to provide teaching and service programs that celebrate the Word of God, build family, and connect the community. She is also author of Bible Lessons for Techies: Thriving in Your Relationship with God Through a Technology Lens, currently sold on Amazon, with an accompanying curriculum connecting the Word of God to STEM through robotics and hands-on projects.