February 2022 Alumni Spotlight

Dedra Eatmon, Ph.D.

Tell us about yourself.
Hometown: Greensboro, NC

Graduation Year(s): Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, 1996; Master of Science, Computer Engineering (NCSU), 2000; Doctor of Philosophy, Education (UNC- Chapel Hill), 2007

What are you doing now?
As an educator I teach high school engineering electives and through my company, Tassel to Tassel, guide first-year students through the transition to college.

Why did you choose A&T?
The choice was simple.  I was majoring in engineering an wanted to attend an HBCU.  Although I didn’t want to stay in NC – much less my hometown – for college, A&T just made the most sense.

Share your best college memory.
Honestly, there’s no single best memory for me.  I fondly cherish the late nights spent in the McNair Hall computer lab.  That’s where I formed some of my best friendships . . . and grades.

What Is the most important thing you learned while at A&T?
While at A&T I learned to celebrate my Blackness.  Being in the presence of so many Black people in both academic and social situations gave me solid foundation for moving in the world.  I’ve seen the variety of academic, artistic, athletic, and professional interests we follow.  As an A&T graduate, I am rooted in the knowledge that we are multi-faceted and capable of so many things. 

Describe A&T in 3 words.
Family. Legacy. Love.

What professional accomplishment, new job, special award, announcement, etc. you would like to share?
In February 2019, I self-published College Ready 101.  It is my way of sharing college success strategies with as many first-year students as possible.  Gate City Alumni Chapter members supported me by purchasing and gifting that book, expanding its reach and hopefully teaching more students how to do the small things that we had to figure out for ourselves.