Amazon Robotics and Hampton University panel discussion | Amazon Science
Jovanna Thiebert, director of business strategy at Amazon Robotics, leads a panel with Hampton University faculty on their robotics partnership, STEM programs, and pathways into technology.
In this talk
- 0:12
A robotics partnership takes shape
Amazon's Amanda Rodriguez-Smith introduces a collaboration with Hampton University to establish a robotics degree program, research lab, internships, and career opportunities. She says the work aims to involve diverse, interdisciplinary scholars and recognizes Hampton president William Harvey and Amazon Robotics CTO Ty Brady as champions.
- 2:43
Faculty journeys into technology
Alyssa Harrison describes moving from chemistry and computer science studies into technology leadership at Hampton. Jane Muhammad recounts discovering computer science, starting computer institutes for women in Saudi Arabia, working at AT&T Bell Laboratories, and returning to education. Demetrius Gettys traces his path from electrical engineering at Hampton to graduate study at Georgia Tech and back to Hampton as a faculty member.
- 10:14
Hampton’s hands-on STEM legacy
The panel connects Hampton’s history, founded in 1868, with its emphasis on practical learning and community leadership. Faculty describe HBCU collaboration in robotics and growing work in AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity, including a consortium involving seven HBCUs.
- 16:23
Building research capacity and student pathways
Harrison says infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity grants, broadband plans, and Amazon support can strengthen Hampton’s research and digital capacity across campus. The partnership includes a robotics research lab, student internships, capstone mentoring, faculty support, STEM projects, and drone camps. Muhammad also highlights a pre-college program that prepares incoming computer science students and has improved retention.
- 26:39
Reaching students and sustaining the pipeline
Faculty recommend community outreach, university programs, NSBE Jr. chapters, and direct contact with local STEM departments as ways for students to find mentors and opportunities. Hampton programs include coding activities, school visits, research demonstrations, and drone camps where undergraduates help introduce younger students to engineering and aviation.
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