Four ECE graduate students named GEM Fellows

The fellowship creates opportunities for graduate students to pursue career paths in industry or academia

Kevin Beckford, Morgan Brinson, Carlos Taveras, Josue Casco-Rodriguez

Four Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) graduate students have been named 2022 Fellows of the National GEM (Graduate Education for Minorities) Consortium. The fellowship creates opportunities for graduate students to pursue career paths in industry or academia through connection with employers and universities.

“As a GEM alum, I am excited to see a record number of GEM Fellows at Rice,” said Rice President Reginald DesRoches. “My GEM Fellowship was instrumental in allowing me to pursue graduate studies and exposed me to an incredible network of mentors who remain friends and colleagues today.”

In the four decades since the consortium’s founding, GEM has helped thousands of students in engineering and natural sciences identify opportunities for career pathways in industry and academia, and supported them in securing funding for graduate education. 

“We are thrilled to share this news, and look forward to seeing all that these students will accomplish during their time as fellows,” said Seiichi Matsuda, dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with the GEM Consortium, which introduces Rice to terrific young scholars and provides them with valuable connections to industry.”

GEM Employer Fellows:

Employer fellows are awarded full tuition and fees from Rice University. Additionally, a GEM employer sponsor provides $16,000 toward stipend and an internship.

Kevin Beckford, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering. Sponsored by The Aerospace Corp.

Morgan Brinson, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering. Sponsored by the 3M Co.

Carlos Taveras, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering. Sponsored by Adobe.

GEM Associate Fellows

Associate fellows are awarded full tuition and fees from Rice University and get stipend from their adviser.

Josue Casco-Rodriguez, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering.

 

By Jennifer Hunter