July 8, 2025
At the intersection of mechanical engineering, environmental justice, and purpose-driven leadership stands Madison Jefferson — a dynamic student who is engineering a future that is authentic, innovative and impactful. Check out this interview with Madison, a 2022 Celebrate Sisters Scholar.
Madison is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering at Mississippi State University.
Q: What moment made you say, “Yes, this is why I’m in STEMM”?
A: The Environmental Justice Academy program gave me the opportunity to create and teach my own coursework outlining the history of the environmental justice movement, while correlating how I can contribute to reducing carbon emissions as a mechanical engineer. This internship ended with me being able to travel to Washington D.C. to attend the National Environmental Justice conference. At this conference, I was given the opportunity to showcase my coursework and be surrounded by individuals rich in knowledge regarding saving our environment. The first course entitled, Environmental Justice: The Deterioration behind African American Communities, highlighted the connection between environmental justice and racial disparities in African American communities. The second course entitled, Mechanical Engineering Contribution to Environmental Justice, highlighted the connection between mechanical engineering and environmental justice. This internship allowed me to gain advanced facilitation, leadership, research, organizational, project management, and educational skills. This experience serves as a monumental moment for me because I was able to bridge the gap between my love for engineering and education. This is why I am in STEM: to help, to innovate, and to educate.
Madison at the National Environmental Justice Conference in Washington D.C. where she presented her coursework completed in Pre-College University’s Environmental Justice Academy.
Q: How did you explore or deepen your interest in your STEM field this year?
A: Throughout this year, I completed a project in Mechanics of Machinery on the mechanism of planetary gear sets. Engineers utilize planetary gears to increase or decrease speed and torque. Planetary gear sets include a sun gear, planet gears, a ring gear, and a carrier. Within this project, my team and I developed a prototype of a planetary gear set in SolidWorks CAD, which is a software used to produce computer-aided designs for models. This project explored the interworking of various systems that utilize planetary gear sets, often seen in vehicles; I highlighted this project because of my interest in the automotive industry.
A prototype Planetary gear set designed by Madison and teammates on SolidWorks CAD and 3D-printe
Q: What was the hardest lesson you learned this year, and how did you grow through it?
A: It may sound cliché, but being authentically myself is the hardest lesson I learned this year. I have grown in a world surrounded by different opinions, backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses, and mindsets. Looking back on this year, there were times when I walked into rooms and felt like an imposter, and the desire to prove my worth was overwhelming. Thankfully, I learned that proving myself was not necessary. In college, questions like “Who am I?” and “Who do I aspire to become?” often crowd my mind as I strive to find my identity, which is an important milestone to me. Because I am a Christ follower, I know that my identity is found in Christ, not in academia or achievements. One may wonder what keeps me grounded, and the answer simply put is God. So, what helped me grow through this lesson was my prayer and devotion time with God, my source. I realized that being authentically myself required staying connected to my source, which I achieved through intentional engagement with the Christian community on campus and consistent personal devotion.
Q: How did you protect or prioritize your well-being during stressful seasons? (Self-care strategies, support systems, boundaries, rest, etc.)
A: In stressful seasons, like during final exams season, I usually create personalized schedules for each week with activities separated by day and times. Each day, I list out my tasks, including thirty-minute breaks; in each thirty minute break, I dance. Yes, I dance to all kinds of music, particularly music that makes me jump and laugh. In my junior year, I read a book that scientifically proved that exercise during study breaks helps you retain information more effectively. Another way I decompress during breaks is by sketching and drawing portraits; I particularly enjoy sketching my friends and family as a hobby. One last way that I enjoy my breaks is by meeting up with friends and going to campus organization meetings. As an engineering student, I focus on repetition when studying by completing practice problems repetitively until I can visualize the problem in my mind. By focusing on certain classwork on certain days, I allow myself to compartmentalize all of the material in a way that helps me retain loads of information. The most important day of the week to me is Sunday, which is reserved as my rest day; Sunday is especially important to me during final exams season and overall stressful seasons.
Q: How did you stay on track academically?
A: I stay on track academically by prioritizing my time according to the difficulty level of each individual course. Every course requires time and commitment; however, I do feel it is important to prioritize each course accordingly. In the beginning of each semester, I study the syllabus and course schedules of each course, write down all of my test or project dates, and list them in order. By doing this, I am able to plan and prioritize my time based on the order of assignments and test dates. I am also able to determine how many study hours I will need for each course based on the difficulty level and assignment due dates.
Q: In what ways were you engaged on campus?
A: I am involved in National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), which hosts campus events like study nights, game nights, and informational nights focused on professional development. I am also involved in Chi Alpha’s life groups, which provides Christian students with a space on campus to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and live life together. Another organization I was involved in was IDEAL woman, which provides young women with a space for professional development, community, and leadership skills.
Madison attending Mississippi State’s Chi Alpha life group meeting.
Q: How did you show up for your community—at school, home, or beyond?
A: My way of showing up for my community is through education. This has been a passion of mine since middle school, in which I developed two National History Day websites highlighting Katherine Johnson, a famous mathematician, and Henrietta Lacks, a medical phenomenon. Similarly, in college, I was given the opportunity to create and teach my own coursework centering around environmental justice; the objective was to provide an understanding of the connection between environmental justice, history, and mechanical engineering. As an Education and Media intern, I was given the opportunity to conduct research, design flyers, and highlight the hidden stories of Black American women, particularly in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) fields. By doing this, my community was educated on various subject matters, helping to further deepen their understanding of the importance of advocacy, education, and history.
Q: Where did you stretch your leadership muscles, and where do you want to grow next?
A: My leadership muscles were stretched as an Education and Media Intern for Celebrate Sisters Foundation; I managed content creation projects, including developing a content calendar, researching women to feature, designing themed flyers, and writing captivating captions. The process was pretty tedious, requiring time, discipline, and commitment. With the mentorship and guidance of Dr. Ja’Wanda Grant, I was able to successfully complete all of my tasks in timely manners. During this experience, my understanding of taking initiative, advocating for myself, and prioritizing my time was deepened.
Click here to view Madison’s educational Instagram reel featuring the story of Henrietta Lacks.
Q: Who were your biggest supporters this year—mentors, peers, family, faculty?
A: One of my biggest supporters was my mom, Demiracle Jefferson, who helped me through all of my stressful seasons by providing me with advice, support, and a listening ear. Another supporter I would like to acknowledge was Dr. Ja’Wanda Grant, whom I view as my mentor, who provided me with advice, support, and mentorship. Two other supporters I would like to acknowledge were my Chi Alpha life group leaders, Tomyah Reeves and Destiny Owah, who provided me with advice, support, and friendship.
Q: What’s one thing you would say to yourself as if you were your own mentor or cheerleader?
A: “Be who you were created to be, and if you do not know who that is, find out.” – Madison Jefferson
Q: What song should we add to our “STEMpower Playlist” to celebrate you and your journey?
A: “The Best Is Yet to Come” – Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers
