Diamond Mangrum ’20: ‘Out-standing’ in STEM

Diamond Mangrum ’20 is used to standing out.

As a biological engineering and applied mathematics double major, she stands out as a woman in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) field in which 60 percent of graduates are male.

As a woman of color, she stands out in many higher education settings.

“There are plenty of conferences I’ve gone to, and rooms I’ve gone into, where I was the only person who looked like me,” said the December graduate.

But as an achiever, she fits in perfectly, having landed internships with NASA, served as Miss A&T and launched programs to encourage other students to excel academically.

And as an Aggie, she feels prepared to work to empower other women of color in academics.

“Dr. Seuss, the author, has a quote: ‘Why fit in when you can stand out?’” she said. “I am passionate about breaking barriers.”

While still in high school, the Prince George’s County, Maryland, senior landed an internship at the University of Maryland’s Department of Environmental Science and Technology. She was making a presentation at a conference to the American Ecological Engineering Society when she met an alumnus of N.C. A&T’s biological engineering program, who suggested that she talk with Godfrey Gayle, Ph.D., a professor in A&T’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.

“I thought I wanted to major in biomedical engineering and go into cancer research,” she said. “But Dr. Gayle swayed me when he told me about the scholarships I could get in Bio-E. I looked into it, and I was sold. I guess you could say Bio-E chose me.”

Having spoken with alumni and faculty, Mangrum started looking more seriously into N.C. A&T.

“I didn’t know much about A&T until I came for a tour of campus and fell in love,” she said. “I could see myself excelling in a nurturing environment that also has high expectations.”

Lijun Wang, Ph.D., emerged as a mentor for her.

“Dr. Wang helps me hone in on my priorities, and at the same time understands all of my aspirations,” she said.

At A&T, Mangrum became a peer facilitator for Healthy Brothers, Healthy Sisters; joined Alpha Lambda Delta honor society; was president of Engineering Toastmasters; and enjoyed residence life for two years as a resident assistant, among other activities. Her close ties to N.C. A&T were cemented in 2018, when she was elected Miss Junior, and in 2019, when she was elected Miss A&T, running on a platform that included tutoring, mentoring and academics.

“Everyone’s purpose is to bless and serve others by tapping into your unique passion, and mine is academics, research and STEM,” she said.

Among the activities she initiated was the Gold Mine Study Blitz, in which peer tutors from the Honors College offered peer tutoring on Saturday mornings. She also started a program offering tutoring to second-to-ninth-graders at the Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center in Greensboro.

“It was the chance of a lifetime to serve the student body and the Greensboro community, and at the same time, to try to bridge the gap that exists for minorities in academics. I want to help our community understand that we’re capable,” she said.

In 2018, Mangrum was accepted for an internship at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where she worked on experiments designed to provide more fresh food to astronauts on the International Space Station. In the experiments, plants were grown in chambers that replicated conditions on the space station. Mangrum used several variables, including level of carbon dioxide, light intensity and various nutrient solutions, to see which combination produced the most nutrient-rich, well-grown plants as an alternative to freeze-dried food.

“Working for NASA was so exciting – I was literally making food for astronauts,” she said. “I got to see how far I can take my degree.”

Mangrum plans to earn a Ph.D., along the way working to address the disparity of minority women in higher education. Although, at the beginning of her endeavors, standing out in academia may have been intimidating, she said that A&T has helped her learn to overcome her fears with her desire to make things happen.

“I’ve walked the same halls as the Greensboro Four and other people who have paved the way,” she said. “They did it, and I can, too. I care about getting things done to help minority women in academics, and if I don’t do it, who will?

“Now, I can draw confidence from being the one standing out. I may be the only one, but that’s not a liability, it’s an advantage. A&T has taught me that.”