Seana McNeal, a distinguished Air Force civilian, was recently honored for her professional achievements and exemplary community service at the Women of Color STEM Conference.

Since 2023, McNeal has served as a branch chief at the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Prior to this role, she held positions as deputy program manager and engineer in the Department of the Air Force and worked as a research and project engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where she began her journey as an electrical engineering co-op student in 2005.

During her time as a senior general engineer within the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command's aerospace systems directorate, McNeal received an award at the WOC STEM Conference for her accomplishments.

She has managed projects that enable the Air Force to leverage the rapid advancements in power electronics and has successfully adapted available technology to meet the rigorous demands of military aircraft.

Additionally, she has communicated technical information to Congress and defended the aerospace systems directorate's $500 million portfolio.

As deputy program manager for the Air Force's first University Affiliated Research Center, McNeal championed tactical autonomy research led by historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

In her acceptance speech at the Women of Color STEM Conference, she shared, “I am a product of the Wright STEPP (Science, Technology and Engineering Preparatory Program), which introduced students in Dayton, Ohio, to the field of engineering and the career opportunities available. I am grateful to have had the chance to intern with the Air Force Research Laboratory, which ultimately led to my permanent employment. This pattern of discovering possibilities and seizing opportunities has repeated throughout my career. I emphasize this to students and professionals alike: Ask questions, learn how you can serve, and when given a chance, take it and run with it. I am especially grateful to God and to those who have provided mentorship, advocacy, and access along the way.”

The Wright STEPP, initiated in 1988, collaborated with Dayton Public Schools, Wright State University, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base to enhance science education for youth in city public schools, primarily targeting first-generation college students and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The program exposed students to various engineering disciplines and provides training in both written and oral communication.