ALUMNI INTERVIEW
DR. DEIDRE E. PARIS
M.S. ME 1994, M.S. PubP 1996, Ph.D. CE 2002
Department of Engineering, Clark Atlanta Univeristy
FOCUS 1993
Q. How did you learn about FOCUS at Georgia Tech? And what factors influenced your decision
to attend?
I was aware of FOCUS through a flyer that was sent to my home address. The factors that influenced my
decision to attend were : 1) opportunity to meet other graduate students; 2) opportunity to meet
African American faculty at Tech; 3) was able to learn about Atlanta; 4) more importantly, was that
it was filled with activities to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday.
Q. Describe your overall experience at FOCUS.
The first FOCUS I attending was in 93. During that time, I was very apprehensive about entering graduate
school at GA Tech. Coming from an HBCU, I knew that the academic environment was extremely different.
The competition and expectations was much greater. One thing that really helped me was that I was able to
meet other students from HBCU's, which made a tremendous difference in making my transition from undergrad
and grad school. I was also able to establish good support and study groups, which were invaluable to my
graduate studies.
Q. What impressed you the most about the FOCUS program?
The most impressive thing about FOCUS was that it provided a forum where you have the most brightest
minorities across the United States gathered at this venue to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King and to
encourage students to further there education by pursuing graduate degrees in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
Q. Did your experience at FOCUS contribute to your decision to attend Georgia Tech? If so, in
what ways?
My initial experience at FOCUS did not contribute to my decision to attend Tech; however, subsequent
attendance at FOCUS did contribute to continue to pursue other degrees at Tech. Upon receiving my masters
in electrical engineering, I decided to further pursue another masters in public policy.
Q. Describe your overall experience at Georgia Tech.
Of course, during the time when I was at Tech, I thought that it was extremely difficult, and often times
I felt that I was not able to receive my degrees from Georgia Tech. However, through programs like FOCUS
and the BGSA, I was able to create a support group for myself. As I continue to create a support group, I
became more comfortable with the GA Tech culture, and thus became more confident in my ability to succeed.
It was then that I knew that there were opportunities for minorities at Georgia Tech, if one will just seek
them.
Q. Did FOCUS prepare you for your experience at Georgia Tech? If so, how?
Yes it did. Again, I was able to interact with individuals with a similar background and this made me feel
more accepted at Georgia Tech, which I believe had a direct impact on my performance.
Q. What is the most valuable lesson you learned at Georgia Tech?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Georgia Tech is such a prestigious university, I
believe that many graduate students are somewhat intimidated by Georgia Techs culture. In spite of the
fact that I did experience intimidation, I was able to not only receive my masters in electrical engineering,
but I also received two other degrees in public policy (masters) and a PhD in civil engineering.
Q. How has your experience at Tech (educational and otherwise) prepared you for your current
career?
I really benefit from interacting with FOCUS alumni because it creates connections for me in the future.
I actually was able to land my first job in academia by interacting with a gentleman I met at focus.