As a high school student, Deztany Jackson attended her first Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Conference with her father.
"I was able to watch and read about the various engineers and scientists who received awards at the BEYA conference," said Jackson, an engineer with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Weapons Control and Integration Department. "My dad, who
represented the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, was excited for us to meet some of the engineers and scientists who were in attendance as well as the award winners. Fifteen years later, I was fortunate enough to receive an award."
U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine honored Jackson as a 2016 Modern-Day Technology Leader during BEYA's 30th annual STEM Global Competitiveness Conference Awards Gala held in Philadelphia, Feb. 18-20.
The BEYA Modern-Day Technology Leaders Award recognizes an
individual's commitment to shaping the future of engineering, science and
technology.
"I am grateful
to experience this honor from both sides of the podium," said Jackson,
after the event. "My career with the Naval Sea Systems Command has taught
me to continuously appreciate and learn from people and experiences in the
environments that surround me, while also recognizing my responsibility for
greatness in the areas under my sphere of control."
Jackson is currently on detail at the NSWCDD Weapons Systems
Engineering Branch where she is applying systems engineering modeling and
architecture for strike weapons control systems. In her previous role as lead
systems engineer for an amphibious assault program, she was responsible for
requirements configuration as well as the management and development of a
strategy for the verification and validation of the system design.
The three-day BEYA conference, sponsored by Career
Communications Group, recognizes the significant accomplishments of
African-Americans in government and industry, who have achieved exceptional
career gains in the fields of STEM. The event attracts thousands of STEM
professionals and also serves as a learning tool for students interested in
pursuing professional interests in engineering.
Jackson earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
Engineering from Old Dominion University (ODU) in 2010. Upon graduation, she joined NSWCDD as part of
the Naval Acquisition Intern Program.
She received a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering from ODU in
2015.