| With an electrical engineering degree from North Carolina A&T State University in hand, Paige Lewter was able to kick off a promising career with the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md., immediately after graduation.
The 24-year-old wasted no time making a rapid transition from student to professional. She now serves as the Lead Engineer for the AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System for PMA 272: Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems. In her position, she manages engineering activities for the AAR-47 Missile Warning System, which includes, design, development, fabrication, installation, modification, sustainment and analysis of the systems and the systems components.
Lewter was recognized on WKYS 93.9 FM’s 30 Under 30 list as a young professional and received additional accolades at the Black Engineers of the Year Awards for her commitment to community service.
“I like helping others and giving back to those who aren’t as fortunate or need guidance,” she explained.
In her spare time, Lewter volunteers at a community center where she tutors and mentors children in her area. While there, she also serves as a dance and step team coach—two activities she enjoyed as a member of the Golden Delight auxiliary dance team and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. at North Carolina A&T.
In 2012, Lewter charted the Southern, Md. Junior National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter. The pre-college NSBE chapter exposes students in grades six to 12 to STEM activities and careers. As the student development chair of the Patuxent River professional chapter of NSBE she made it her personal goal to start the youth group mixing her love for engineering and service. Under her advisement, the junior NSBE chapter has grown from seven to 35 active members since 2012 and the group has formed a competitive robotics team.
“I was blessed and fortunate to have a lot of good teachers who really cared. Just like those teachers who cared about me and serve as mentors I want to do the same for our youth,” Lewter said.
As a young African American woman, Lewter represents three critical areas in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
“On the team that I work with, I’m the only female of African American descent and I’m the youngest person,” she added.
With all the pressure the job demands of her, she quickly grasped the importance of becoming a confident contributor to her team.
“We support the navy. If it has something to do with an aircraft or safety of the fleet, then I definitely have to speak up and express my opinions and give them proof on why I may be correct,” Lewter said.
In the future, Lewter plans to complete her MBA program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, move up in the ranks at the naval base and, more importantly, she said, she plans to remain committed to being a positive role model and mentor for youth in her community.
By: Courtney J. Jackson |
