Ginaya S. Littlejohn, M.S. 

I was born in Passaic, New Jersey which is considered an urban area, while raised from 10 years old to adulthood in Piscataway, New Jersey which is considered a suburban area. I was blessed to be raised in a community whose diversity shaped how I see the world and my place in it. Growing up, I learned early the power of education, community, and possibility- lessons that would quietly guide every step I’ve taken since.

 

After graduating high school, I made the intentional choice to attend college in North Carolina. I wanted to immerse myself in the South’s rich and vibrant Black culture, to grow in a place where heritage and innovation live side by side. I knew I wanted to spend my collegiate years at an Historically Black College or University. That decision opened doors not only academically but personally, rooting me in a state that has become home. I was admitted to the great HBCU in the world, graduating the most Black engineers in the United State---> Thee North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University!

 

Upon graduating with my B.S. in chemical engineering and M.S. in bioengineering, I’ve spent my career solving problems, supporting people, and building systems that work. From engineering in technical sales to program management and educational initiatives, my work has always connected back to one core belief: that our gifts matter most when they are used in service to others.

 

Now, as a graduate student in pursuit of a doctoral degree in urban education, I’m doing the work that feels like my life’s calling—supporting Black children, especially Black girls, through unveiling the 'E' in STEM education, identity development, and joyful learning spaces. My studies, research, and professional experiences are all intertwined as I continue to honor my purpose: to build pathways, create opportunity, and empower young people to dream boldly and fully.

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My experiences within this program has caused my thinking to shift and really see that this space was made just for me, for me to do the work that God has commissioned me to do! My required urban core courses provided the foundation of understanding and practical application of what it calls for to do work within urban education. For the passed 3 years, I have been pushed by assignment!

 

This portfolio captures that journey. My CV reflects not just roles and responsibilities, but a lifelong commitment to growth, community, and work that truly matters.