Kevin Hewitt 鈥� a champion of STEM, researcher, and professor in Dal鈥檚 Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science 鈥� has been (NSERC).
Dr. Hewitt is being recognized for his work to foster interest in science among students of African descent in Nova Scotia, and his leadership with Dal鈥檚 Imhotep's Legacy Academy, an innovative university-community partnership that bridges the achievement gap for students of African heritage in grades six to 12.
鈥淣o one ever does anything alone,鈥� says Dr. Hewitt, who also completed his time as chair of the 新澳门六合彩开奖 Senate at the end of June. 鈥淭o build a program like this requires years of dedicated effort of committed individuals working cohesively and often on a volunteer basis. Our community partners, mentors, participants, supporters, faculty, staff and funders all supported a vision of access - painstakingly built over a decade.聽 In particular, I thank fellow co-founders Wayn Hamilton and Barbara Ann Hamilton-Hinch, and the steadfast financial support provided by Patrick Kakembo.鈥� 聽
鈥淔rom a small lab in the Physics building to a provincial program 鈥� what an amazing journey.聽 To see participants announcing their intention to pursue a STEM degree in grade 7, then seeing them realizing that dream today bring tears to my eyes.聽 That has been the most rewarding aspect of this journey.鈥�
NSERC鈥檚 Science Promotion Awards honour individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the promotion of Science in Canada through activities encouraging popular interest in science or developing science abilities.
鈥淐ongratulations to Dr. Hewitt on receiving the Science Promotion award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada,鈥� saysAlice Aiken, Dal鈥檚 vice-president research and innovation. 鈥淗e is truly a changemaker, and has provided incredible support and encouragement to the next generation of leaders in STEM.鈥�
Fostering an interest in science
While completing his Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, Dr. Hewitt used to occasionally look at the Nobel Prize in Physics winners鈥� photos in the hallway, and noticed that there wasn鈥檛 anyone there that looked like him.
This empowered Dr. Hewitt, who went on establish tutoring programs for students while leading the African Caribbean Students Association. While at graduate school at Simon Fraser University, he co-founded the Association for Students of African Descent and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Greater Vancouver. He was also the first Black student to win the U of T Scarborough College Physics prize.
During his graduate degree at Simon Fraser University, Dr. Hewitt was able to combine his deep interest in science, Af