Our Team
Monique Micheaux: CHIef Academic officer & founder
Monique Micheaux has over 20 years’ experience in education, including teaching, administration, instructional coaching, and professional learning facilitation. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics and Masters of Science degree in Chemistry. Her desire to make a difference in education and maximize exposure to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) content for students and student success in learning compelled her to pursue and complete her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Southern University. This also led her to create the non-profit Urban STEM®™. Monique has developed and facilitated professional learning sessions focused on topics such as student engagement, STEM engagement, project based learning, enhancing administrative support of teachers, instructional strategies that increase student achievement, and using data to inform instruction.
Pat Lawson: Head Judge
Coming soon - Pat biography
Cody Rainer: Game Master
Cody Rainer has been involved in robotics since 2006 when he competed in his first FLC competition. Since then, he has competed in and/or coached FRC, FTC, VEX IQ, and VRC until 2012 when he graduated high school and joined USTEM. Cody has run VEX Worlds Tournament Manager, multiple Texas State VEX events, and the past couple of years proudly ran the live streaming and tournament manager for the TSA State VEX Competition. Cody looks forward to many more years with USTEM and serving the next generation through robotics.
Elijah Micheaux: Photographer
Coming soon - Elijah biography
Danielle Beckford: Head of Operations
Coming soon - Danielle biography
Devin Powell: Head Referee
Devin Powell has been involved with robotics education since the age of nine, a beneficiary of programs just like Urban STEM. She is a graduate of the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences and the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Devin works in the energy industry and, in her spare time, enjoys ballroom dancing and tutoring students in math, physics and government.
Corlis Simmons: Executive AssistANT
Corlis Simmons is a native Houstonian and loves STEM. She holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Houston (Central) and has worked as a telecommunications engineer, Science Educator and as Camp Director for the Exxon-Mobil STEM Camp. As an educator, to keep pace with technology she also earned a M.S. Degree in Educational and Instructional Technology. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are the keys to the future for our youth is her mantra and passion. In her spare time, Corlis travels extensively, serves as a mentor for the Galveston Bay Area Chapter Texas Master Naturalists and volunteers in underserved communities around the Houston area. She is the proud mother of two adult children and one grandson.