Dr. Mark Onyango

Graduate Student of the Year

Mark Okoth Onyango is a STEM educator passionate about inclusive classroom instruction and engineering workforce development among students from underserved backgrounds. He earned his master’s degree in information and communication engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology’s school of electronics and information engineering in Harbin, China and a Bachelor’s degree in technical education (electrical engineering) in Kenya. With work experience spanning engineering industry and teaching in technical and higher education institutions, his research centers on how structured and targeted experiential learning programs enable students to see themselves as legitimate members of the professional engineering community.

Among the key turning points of my passion for STEM skills and competencies development was engaging with the youths and high school students from the greater Cincinnati region during the Gaskins Foundation’s STEMulating Saturdays held at the University of Cincinnati Digital Futures. Interacting with these future Cincinnati STEM professionals extended to the National Society for Black Engineers Convention in Chicago, as well as the 2026 ethical AI camp at the University of Cincinnati. To those amazing parents, thank you!