Melissa Patton Of Space Foundation On How We Can Increase Girls’ Participation in Engineering and Robotics
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Industry partners need to create special initiatives to increase awareness that there is a need for girls in the field. Without industry support, we don’t have a clear understanding of the need.
Despite the growing importance of engineering and robotics in shaping our future, women remain significantly underrepresented in these fields. This series aims to explore and address the barriers that discourage girls from pursuing careers in engineering and robotics. We are talking to educators, industry leaders, pioneering women engineers, and robotics experts who have made significant contributions to their fields to discuss the strategies they believe can inspire and increase the participation of young girls in engineering and robotics. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Melissa Patton.
Dr. Melissa Patton is the vice president of education at Space Foundation. She is a seasoned educator and product management expert with more than 15 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and scaling organizations through product-led growth. Her accomplishments include enterprise experience which led to a lean startup that thrived in implementing technology solutions and executing innovative products in a data- and customer-driven environment. Additionally, she is a higher education executive with over 20 years as a tenured professor and a C-suite academic administrator.
Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree from Drake University in English writing, a master’s degree from Concordia University in counseling psychology, and a doctorate in education from Benedictine University in higher education and organizational change. Melissa is driven by a commitment to educational access and meeting students where they are. With a dedicated focus on equitable health, she actively works to drive change, combat racial disparities, and promote awareness.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I have held almost every position in higher education, including positions as admission counselor, department chair, judicial consultant, tenured psychology faculty, provost, and chief academic officer. I pivoted from higher education to disrupt the K-12 education space by developing an educational enterprise consisting of a nonprofit, for-profit, product development arm, and a school. The educational company scaled from 0 to 75 employees and one to six campuses in less than six years. Many of the skills and partnerships I developed were leveraged in the role I now have at Space Foundation.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
In my last doctoral class at Benedictine University, we were assigned a college president for a mock presidential appointment interview. I was so nervous, and I had no idea what I was going to say! When he got on the call, we started talking about what I was presently doing as a career. I shared with him that I was running a management firm and was juggling 10 different clients from several industries. He took a deep breath, and in mid-sentence, he stopped me. He cleared his throat and said, “Are you sure you want to be a college president?” He went on to explain in so many words, that my passion for running my own company was contagious, and he could tell I was excited and loved to be challenged. I frequently think about this interaction as I continue to grow personally and professionally. It helps me stay grounded and focus on the “main” thing.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering or robotics, and how can we replicate that inspiration for young girls?
I feel fortunate to fulfill an unconventional administrative role in educational operations. In that role, I get the opportunity to empower K-12 students and K-12 educators daily by providing them access to STEAM and space education programming. This access enables them to fulfill the workforce needs as they matriculate out of school and into a career. I was inspired to pursue this career because I thoroughly enjoy the field of STEAM and creating accessibility to diverse and underserved children. Girls hold a very special place in my heart, and I really try to go over and above to make myself available as a mentor and role model to those girls.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful toward who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
There have been many times during my career where I hit career-changing transitions. Transitions are not easy, especially when you are someone who likes to always know what’s going to happen and how to appropriately prepare. For the last 15 years, Dr. Twanna Henderson has been my mentor. A few years ago, she went through a life-changing trauma and was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember sitting down with her in Panera right after she rang the bell — the bell that signified she was free of cancer. I was having a pity party for myself and was amid one of those life-altering transitions. I will never forget when she looked me straight in the eyes and said, “… you know you are being tested, and the way you handle this test will determine if you are ready for your next level; make a wise choice. Ask for strength to deal with the outcome and get over yourself.” Besides my husband of 20 years, there is no one on this planet that can snap me out of my funk the way Dr. Henderson can. I love her for knowing how to talk to someone with such a strong independent personality.
Can you share a story of a challenge you faced as a woman in engineering or robotics and how you overcame it?
I consistently face the challenge of being one of the youngest, being one of the only women of color, and an executive-level woman of color in almost every room I step into. It is still a very white and male-dominated field, especially on the executive leadership side. That is a huge reason why I am adamant about mentoring young women and girls to understand the opportunities that are there for them. Being a minority in anything always comes with sacrifices, mostly the fact that it is extremely lonely. You must intentionally search for people you can trust who have your best interests at heart — and who will develop and train you.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
One of my favorite books is “Tuesdays With Morrie.” Yes, I know, extremely random, but I respect the relationship Mitch and Morrie had as a mentor and mentee. What their relationship represents epitomizes the profound insight behind living a fulfilling life. One of my favorite quotes that always floats around in my stream of consciousness is, “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
Do you have a favorite “life lesson” quote? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
“To whom much is given, much is required.” Luke 12:48
This Bible verse resonates because it always reminds me that with every accomplishment and achievement, there is work to be done and a responsibility to give back. Nothing that means anything will come easy; you will be required to work hard for everything.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
I really hope that people will see my life work and consider it impactful in helping the next generation of leaders. Daily, I try to be an example to people that I encounter. It’s also important to always be present, no matter how busy I am, I really try to have my “door always open” or my “Teams” on. I want people to always feel like I am approachable and visibly engaged. Which means remembering to live in the moment — not just live for the next moment.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this report, only about 16% of engineering positions in the U.S. are held by women. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from engineering and robotics?
Women are being held back because they don’t have access, much in part due to the people that they surround themselves with. Industry is not doing a good job in showing the diversity of careers in engineering and robotics, which include white-collar and blue-collar jobs as well as technical and administrative roles. First, women must know that opportunities exist, and second, they must be able to access the training and development that prepare them for the workforce.
This might be intuitive to you, but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should enter the engineering and robotics fields?
Women in engineering and robotics fields means diversity of expertise, which equates to creative ways to solve complex problems. Anytime you prioritize diversity, cultural elements influence the frame of reference, which produces multiple intersections for innovation. Women can add administrative as well as technical expertise to robotics and engineering and bring a unique perspective to the table.
Can you please share “5 Things We Need To Increase Girls’ Participation in Engineering and Robotics?”
- Resources. Money is necessary to prioritize programming for girls and meet those girls where they are, i.e., after school programs, nonprofit organizations, camps, social clubs, etc.
- Industry partners need to create special initiatives to increase awareness that there is a need for girls in the field. Without industry support, we don’t have a clear understanding of the need.
- Robotics and engineering need to be clubs at every middle school and high school. I would love for there to be incentives for girls to participate in these clubs. As I mentioned before, the field is lonely when there is no representation, so incentivizing participation may be necessary.
- On the local government side, I would love to see a grant for girls that allows them to major in engineering and robotics. It is not necessary for it to be need-based but simply a grant offered by the government for girls majoring in those fields. Period. There should be stipulations and disclaimers to ensure girls are taking the money and graduating in those fields, but I think this is a must.
- We need more conferences and conventions that focus on robotics and engineering, with women as keynotes and panel members.
In your opinion, what are the most effective ways to introduce girls to engineering and robotics at an early age?
At Space Foundation, we introduce girls to engineering and robotics in kindergarten. Our program adapts to the age of the students as they progress through 12th grade. The most effective way is to meet the child where they are and show them people that look like them so that they can see themselves in those roles.
How do you think the portrayal of women in STEM fields by media and educational materials impacts girls’ interest in engineering and robotics?
The way women/girls are portrayed in media is extremely impactful, both negatively and positively. Again, we must diversify how we portray those STEAM roles, showing girls that they can work in STEAM because there are so many different opportunities. I include the A on STEAM to be more inclusive in how I address my more creative scientists.
What advice would you give to girls who are interested in engineering and robotics but are hesitant to take the first step?
Be bold and dream big! I am a firm believer that we have the capacity to do anything we put our mind to. Find a mentor who will hold your hand through all the scary parts.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
In the spirit of empowering girls to dream big and think about roles in engineering and robotics, what would it look like to have an all-female organization, developed for women, by women? It would be an organization whose mission is to impact girls in middle school and high school as they participate in robotics and engineering programs. This organization would create national conferences that are inspired by women and promote women and their role in the workforce. The unique part of this organization is that middle school and high school students will play a major role, sparking life into the programming and the strategic planning. A 501(c)(3) organization like this would be groundbreaking and would be the go-to for employers, university and colleges, and government.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drmelissapatton/
Space Foundation:
www.linkedin.com/company/space-foundation/
www.facebook.com/SpaceFoundation1/
https://twitter.com/spacefoundation
www.instagram.com/spacefoundation/
www.youtube.com/user/SpaceFoundation
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
