The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) welcomes Dr. Trina L. Fletcher (’08) as the Associate Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences and an Associate Professor of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering. She returned to UAPB after receiving tenure and promotion at the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University (FIU), a Carnegie Research 1 institution.
Within her research group, the READi Lab, Dr. Fletcher has secured over $1 million in federal and corporate-funded grants and several institutional and national awards for her teaching, mentoring, and research achievements. Her research portfolio focuses on equity, access, and inclusion in education for historically excluded individuals, particularly women in engineering, computing, and STEM education at HBCUs. She is a 2022 NSF CAREER grant awardee and served as an elected steering committee member for EngineerGirl, the National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE) leading initiative to increase the number of girls in engineering.
Dr. Trina Fletcher’s return to UAPB marks an exciting and transformative chapter for the School of Arts and Sciences. “Her wealth of experience, impressive achievements in research, leadership, and national advocacy for equity in STEM education will elevate our institution’s academic excellence and community impact and reinforce our commitment to preparing students for the future. Her dedication aligns perfectly with UAPB’s mission,” expressed by Dr. Grant Wangila, Ph.D. Interim Dean, UAPB School of Arts and Sciences.
Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Fletcher held management and leadership roles at two Fortune 500 companies, served as the Director of Pre-College Programs for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and was the Engineering Program Director and an Assistant Professor at UAPB. She has delivered over 100 invited talks, panels, and workshops and has been featured in interviews, podcasts, and media outlets. Additionally, she has published over 30 peer-reviewed conference and journal papers. Dr. Fletcher’s research and entrepreneurial endeavors have been highlighted in Forbes and Fortune.
She holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Purdue University, a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from UAPB, a Master’s in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and a second Master’s in Engineering Management from George Washington University. Dr. Fletcher is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and is actively involved with the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter.
Dr. Fletcher believes that personal and social development and holistic financial literacy education are key to closing the achievement gap for underserved communities. She advocates for these priorities among families, community leaders, and policymakers.
Dr. Wangila shared, “We are confident Dr. Fletcher’s leadership will inspire faculty, students, and the broader community. Her passion for education, research, and service will help shape the next generation of innovators and change-makers.”
