Neptune N.J. Native Wins Prestigious Women of Color STEM Award

Chenelle Covin, a govt. Technical Writer-Editor, has been awarded one of the most prestigious accolades in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for the year 2023.

Ms. Covin will receive the Women of Color STEM Award in Technical Innovation in Government for developing accuracy software that has made a significant impact in her organization.

She will officially accept her award in Detroit, at the Women of Color (WOC) STEM DTX Conference this fall.

About The Women of Color STEM Awards

The Women of Color (WOC) STEM DTX Conference will be held from October 12-14, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan, and online via the Women of Color STEM DTX Platform (www.wocstemdtx.com).

This year’s conference, with the theme of “Oceans of Change, Waves of Opportunities,” aims to explore the transformative potential of diversity and inclusivity in shaping the future of STEM.

WOC Conference

The significance of the Women of Color STEM DTX Conference recognition program cannot be overstated, especially considering the projected growth in STEM employment opportunities in the United States. For over two decades, WOC STEM has been celebrating the exceptional contributions of women of color, inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals poised to secure high-wage jobs.

Tyrone D. Taborn, Co-Founder of the 2023 Women of Color STEM DTX Conference, explained, “We have chosen Ms. Covin as the recipient because she is part of an exceptional group of forward-thinking STEM experts. This year’s pool of candidates was exceptionally strong and represented a diverse collection of executive professionals.”

Women of Color in STEM

In 2023, the gender gap in STEM remains significant, with women making up only 28% of the STEM workforce. When looking at those numbers for Black and Hispanic women, the percentages stagger behind.

Since 1995, the Women of Color STEM DTX Conference has been recognizing excellence in STEM and drawing attention to the severe underrepresentation of women, particularly at senior levels, across all disciplines.

For nearly three decades, employers committed to fostering inclusivity have chosen the Women of Color STEM DTX Conference as a platform to exchange best practices and strategies aimed at attracting and retaining girls and women in scientific and technical fields.

This year, the Women of Color STEM DTX Conference continues to be at the cutting edge of innovation by offering its online digital twin. Leveraging the power of the Women of Color STEM DTX Platform, attendees will have access to a virtual conference experience that mirrors the in-person event, providing an immersive and interactive environment for networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration.

During the three-day conference, multiple award presentations will be held to honor Ms. Covin and all other distinguished 2023 award recipients for their remarkable achievements in STEM.

Throughout the event, the Conference will offer forums on the retention of women and girls in STEM, continuous improvement, and networking opportunities.

About Chenelle Covin

Ms. Covin is a 2003 graduate of Neptune High School. After graduating with honors, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Business (Cum Laude) and a Masters in Digital Communications from Monmouth University. Ms. Covin recently obtained a professional certification in computer science from Harvard University online and plans to pursue a PhD.

She credits her love for STEM due to the nurturing of her father, who is a retired computer scientist turned social tech entrepreneur.

When Ms. Covin was 8 years old, her father enrolled her in the Program for Accelerated Careers in Computer Science (P.A.C.), which allowed her to explore her growing imagination with computers. Ever since, she has honed her skills in computer science, becoming an integral person in the field of technology.

Outside of her technical career, Ms. Covin is an entrepreneur, spearheading innovative projects under Chenelle Designs and as the Editor-in-Chief of Unheard Voices, an award-winning online magazine.

Ms. Covin says she is honored to be part of this elite group of women of color, and will continue to make a difference in any way she can.