Dr. Olukemi Akintewe is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Medical Engineering and the Director of the First-Year Engineering Program. She holds a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from USF, a Masters in Materials Science & Engineering from the Ohio State University, and a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from the City College of New York. Her research focuses on academic persistence, mentorship, and workforce development in STEM fields. Currently, she is investigating the impact of mentorship structures on women persistence of first-time in college (FTIC) and first-generation females at the USF College of Engineering. Dr. Akintewe aims to develop a mentorship ecosystem for female students in the first-year undergraduate engineering program that supports learning, inclusivity, and the preparedness needed for academic progression. Dr. Akintewes research is funded by the National Science Foundation Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) Grant and the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network (SSMN) Seed Grant. Dr. Akintewes teaching, mentoring, and academic efforts have received recognitions, including the Jerome Krivanek Distinguished Teacher Award, Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award, the USF College of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award, the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, Kathleen Moore Faculty Excellence Award, the USF Systemic Transformation of Education through Evidence-Based Reforms Teaching Scholars award, and the BMES USF Chapter Faculty of the year award.