EEE PhD student Kendrick Hardaway has been selected as a Latinx Trailblazers in Engineering Fellow by the Purdue University College of Engineering. 

Hardaway is one of 34 inaugural Trailblazers in Engineering fellows. These PhD students or postdocs in engineering or related disciplines are selected for their outstanding scholarly achievements and commitment to increasing the success of underrepresented communities in engineering. LATineE (Latinx Trailblazers in Engineering) focuses on future Latinx/Hispanic faculty who will serve as role models for the next generation of diverse engineers. 

“I am honored to be in a fellowship program committed to expanding diversity in academia, particularly in the engineering disciplines,” states Hardaway.

Hardaway’s PhD in Purdue Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) is funded by the Andrews Doctoral Research Fellowship; he additionally participates in the Ecological Sciences and Engineering (ESE) interdisciplinary program. He has been a lecturer and teaching assistant for EEE courses, a research assistant for the Indiana Recycling Coalition, a consultant for Sustainable Giving Homes (Austin), and an intern for the University of Arkansas Office for Sustainability. Hardaway is a senator in Purdue Graduate Student Government (PGSG), vice president of the Purdue EEE Graduate Student Organization, and co-chair of Purdue’s Ecological Sciences and Engineering (ESE) Symposium. As a research assistant, Kendrick studies the impact of infrastructure systems on environmental resilience and sustainability. Upon becoming a faculty member, Hardaway plans to prioritize team-oriented projects and emphasize real-world challenges in his lectures.

LATinE fellows will attend a workshop October 19-22, which provides opportunities for scientific interactions; career-oriented discussions; and networking with leading faculty, program managers at key federal funding agencies, Purdue Engineering heads, and current Trailblazers via inspiring keynote talks.

“I look forward to using what I learn as a Trailblazers Fellow throughout my career to help underrepresented students succeed in engineering,” Hardaway states.

Congratulations, Kendrick!