Dr. Calvin Mackie Ph.D.
Founder and CEO of STEM Nola and STEM Global Action
ASME 2025 Ralph Coats Roe Medal Recipient
Biography: Dr. Calvin Mackie is an award winning mentor, inventor, author, former engineering professor, internationally renowned speaker and successful entrepreneur. He is the founder and chief executive officer of STEM NOLA, the premiere national STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program that designs and delivers activities, programs and events to K-12 students, families and communities.
Dr. Mackie is a dedicated advocate for STEM education and works tirelessly to inspire the next generation of innovators, creators and entrepreneurs across America, engage with them and expose them to quality learning experiences that prepare them for exciting career opportunities in STEM-related fields. In 11 years, STEM NOLA has engaged over 200,000 mostly low-income low-resourced K-12 students in hands-on project-based STEM activities across the country.
Mackie graduated from Morehouse College earning a BS in Mathematics in 1990 and was simultaneously awarded a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, where he subsequently earned his Master's and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1996. He served on the engineering faculty at Tulane University for twelve years. Mackie has won numerous awards including the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in a White House ceremony and currently serves on the Louisiana STEM (LA-STEM) advisory council.
Dr. Mackie received the 2019 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board's Chair (CBCF) Phoenix Award, the highest honor presented by CBCF. It recognizes individuals whose extraordinary achievements strengthen communities and improve the lives of individuals and families, nationally and globally.
Most recently Dr. Mackie was selected as one of 24 recipients of the national Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications. Given by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, in partnership with Schmidt Futures, the award recognizes people who have made significant contributions to promoting and advancing science education and communication.
His inspirational memoir, A View from the Roof: Lessons for Life and Business, has been adopted as educational course material by numerous secondary and college teachers throughout the country. His latest book Grandma's Hands: Cherished Moments of Faith and Wisdom was published in 2012 and received a silver medal in the prestigious Living Now Book Awards. Dr. Mackie is a regular contributor to Forbes.com writing about public engagement in STEM.
Dr. Mackie is a devoted husband to his wife, Tracy, and father to his two sons, Myles Ahmad and Mason Amir.