Tonya M. Matthews

Tonya Matthews presently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer and President of the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. Prior to this, she led the Michigan Science Center as its CEO and President. During her tenure at Wayne State University, she served as the Associate Provost for Inclusive Workforce Development. Her career trajectory further highlights her dedication to education and development, as evidenced by her role in launching the STEMinista Project in 2016, a movement aimed at engaging middle school girls in science.

Matthews' influence in the field of education extends beyond her immediate professional roles. She was appointed by the United States Secretary of Education to the Governing Board of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Further amplifying her influence in the academic sphere, Matthews serves on the Board of Science Education at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Her significant contributions to the field were recognized when she received the Whitaker Foundation Award for Engineering Excellence.

In addition to her scientific and educational pursuits, Matthews has also made her mark in the realm of public speaking and activism. She has shared her insights on a global platform, delivering a TEDx talk in Cincinnati titled "Sound Ideas." Beyond her speeches, she explores her passion for social commentaries through the medium of spoken word poetry. As a spoken soul artist, she has both published and performed her poetry, extending her reach to a broad audience and further solidifying her position as a multi-faceted public figure.