Yamicia Connor
Chemical Engineering Teaching Assistant
yamicia@mit.edu

Originally hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Yamicia Connor is a sophomore majoring in Chemical and Biological Engineering at MIT. An alumna of the MITE²S program, she has served as a researcher at the Mayo Clinic and as a TA for MIT’s Electricity and Magnetism course.

Marc Graham
Civil Engineering Instructor
polo@mit.edu

This spring, SEED Academy welcomes Marc Graham as the Mechanical Engineering instructor for our ninth grade class. Originally from Cleveland, OH, Marc is working on his third degree from MIT, a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering focusing on the Development of Deterministic Design Teaching Process.

Marc brings experience from both the classroom and industry to SEED Academy. He has served as an instructor for the MITE²S program and several undergraduate programs at MIT, including Second Summer, Pathways to Peace, and NASA RISE. In addition, Marc has worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer for Corning, a Thermal Test Engineer for General Motors, and as a Mechanical Engineer for TRW. Also, he has written a book, Journey Of The Lost Souls, and produced an accompanying audio CD.

Charles Hightower
Computer Science Instructor
cmjones@mit.edu

A new member of the SEED Academy staff, Charles Hightower is currently working on a Master of Engineering degree in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department here at MIT. Also, he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from MIT.

Before returning to MIT, Charles worked in industry for seven years developing embedded control systems and was the entrepreneur of a local computer consulting company in Durham, NC. At MIT, his research focuses on creating a new methodology for performing real-time control and data acquisition for high-throughput muscle experimentation.

In his spare time, Charles is active in the community, working with various outreach ministries at Union Baptist Church and teaching Sunday school. He enjoys spending time with his family and producing music for aspiring artists. Charles is the proud husband of Nikki Hightower and father of three beautiful children, Daivon, Azana, and Niara.

Celia Macias
Engineering Instructor Instructor
cemacias@mit.edu

Information is forthcoming.

Nicholas Pearce
Life Mastery Instructor
npearce1@mit.edu

Nicholas Pearce is new to SEED Academy this spring as well. A member of the MIT Class of 2007, majoring in chemical engineering, with concentrations in management and religious studies, Nicholas is a native of Chicago, Illinois.  He describes himself as "most importantly, a servant of God and others," and has a true passion for helping people. He is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and is an American Chemical Society Scholar, Coca-Cola Scholar, U.S. Congressional Black Caucus Scholar, National Achievement Scholar, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, National Ventures Scholar, and Illinois State Scholar. He received the United States Presidential Service Award, and was the first-ever recipient of the Illinois Governor's Award for Excellence in Education (2003). Last summer, Nicholas interned with Deloitte Consulting LLP, an international management consulting firm. In addition to his many educational and service commitments, he is a gifted pianist.

Michelle Ryan
Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering Instructor
mimijazzlove@yahoo.com

Information is forthcoming.

Yonatan Tekleab
Civil Engineering Teaching Assistant
ytekleab@mit.edu

An incoming senior at MIT, Yonatan Tekleab is new to SEED Academy this fall. Currently, he is studying Aeronautics and Astronautics, with interests in thermodynamics and propulsion. Ultimately, he hopes to become a university professor and hopefully, fulfill his childhood goal of becoming an astronaut.

He loves, “the academic atmosphere and would like to contribute through research and teaching young students who have the same passion for engineering I do.

Yonatan is from Oklahoma City, OK and his family is from Eritrea, a small country on the horn Africa.

Adrian Townsend
Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering Instructor
adrian_@mit.edu

Information is forthcoming.