Junior Bennett

Graduate Research Assistant
Engineering Education
West Lafayette
Junior A. Bennett is a Graduate Research Assistant and 2023 Lynn Fellowship Awardee pursuing a Ph.D. in Ecological Sciences and Engineering, partnering with associate department of Engineering Education at the Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana USA. He is excited about the opportunity to work with Associate Professor Dr. Jason Morphew in the i2Engineering Research Laboratory at Purdue. Junior describes this incredible journey from “Market Vendor” in Jamaica to Fellow at Purdue University as challenging, transformative, and rewarding. He credits Holmwood Technical High School in Jamaica where he had served as Head Boy for playing a significant role in providing a sound foundation in STEM education with a holistic focus. His success (S) formula is the summation of faith (F), commitment (C), effort (E1) and effectiveness (E2). He was awarded by the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture in Jamaica, the Technical High School scholarship in 2003 to pursue undergraduate studies at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech Ja). He graduated from UTech Ja with a Bachelor of Education in TVET Industrial Technology – Electrical at the top of his class. He was the recipient of a Graduate Assistantship from Western Illinois University and completed a Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Systems and was awarded for outstanding academic performance. He returned to serve his alma mater (UTech Ja) for 12 years full-time as as lecturer in mathematics, physics, and engineering respectively before transitioning to becoming Programme Coordinator at the Vocational Training Development Institute/HEART Trust NSTA and later Manager at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica. Junior is a Certified Manufacturing Engineer by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and Productivity Ambassador by the Jamaica Productivity Centre in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. He is a corporate member of the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) and was appointed to represents JIE on the National Commission of Science and Technology for two consecutive years. One of the most rewarding experiences for Junior is to engage in mixed method research studies with the Productivity Research Group at UTech Ja where he was co-founder and leader. He is an active member of the community and had served various profit and non-profit organizations in Jamaica as board member. In 2019, he was awarded UTech Ja President Award for Outstanding Service in the Category of Community Service. His most fulfilling experiences are spending quality time with his family, sharing his experience, serving others and empowering humanity.