Engineering Hope: A FAMU Student Inspires the Next Generation of Girls in STEM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Madison Devoux, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student at Florida A&M University (FAMU), has published a children’s book aimed at encouraging young girls to pursue careers in science and engineering.
A native of the small town of Cairo, Georgia, Devoux said she always knew attending FAMU was in her future. In classrooms filled with equations, lab reports and blueprints, Devoux often found herself as one of the few women in the room.
This reality became the inspiration for her children’s book, “Hope Is an Engineer,” a STEM-focused work of children’s literature designed to encourage young girls to see themselves in disciplines such as engineering and science.
“I wrote ‘Hope Is an Engineer’ so that young girls could see themselves in disciplines such as engineering and science,” she said.
Inside the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Madison Devoux showcases her children’s
book, “Hope Is an Engineer,”created to encourage the next generation of girls in STEM.
(Photo Courtesy: Madison Devoux)
Devoux shared that her path to engineering included academic challenges. In her formative years, she admits struggling heavily in her core mathematics courses. The experience left her grappling with disappointment and questioning her abilities as a STEM student.
“I struggled heavily in math, and that is a scary thought, especially being a STEM major. It’s a part of everything we do,” Devoux said.
Amid her struggles, Charmaine Caldwell, Ph.D., director of student access for Educating
Engineering Students Innovatively (EESI), became her source of encouragement. Caldwell
provided consistent tutoring and mentorship, ensuring Devoux did not fall by the wayside.
“If I didn’t have her in that space to help foster my confidence in math, I wouldn’t have gone this far in what I’ve done,” she said.
From Caldwell’s perspective, Devoux’s journey reflects resilience and intentional growth.
“I remember meeting her during her first year at Florida A&M University. Like many students entering STEM, she was navigating the challenge of finding her place in a space that often extends invitations to underrepresented students yet does not always provide the equitable support systems necessary for Black women to truly thrive. What makes her journey inspiring is not just her presence in STEM, but the way she has chosen to grow within it,” Caldwell explained.
It was through these challenges that the idea for “Hope Is an Engineer” began to take shape. Devoux turned her personal experiences in STEM into a story for young readers. However, she soon learned that writing a children’s book would not be as easy as she anticipated.
“Me, being a STEM major, I am not fond of writing. I would rather do derivatives than write an essay any day. I thought writing to children would be easier, but in fact it was harder to relate to children due to what they can understand,” she said.
Under the impression that she could simply write her manuscript and self-publish, Devoux faced a roadblock.
“Breaking down something as complex and vast as engineering to a child was the hardest thing to accomplish,” she said.
Luckily for Devoux, one classroom encounter connected her with a life-changing opportunity.
“I met the mother of my publisher at FAMU. She told me that her daughter is an established publisher and put me into contact with her,” Devoux said.
Antoinette Mutcherson, founder and CEO of BFF Publishing, would soon become more than just her publisher; she also served as Devoux’s mentor.
The STEM student described Mutcherson as a key source of support during the writing and publishing process.
“She was my saving grace. While drafting this book, I also interned that summer with
Honda, and usually I am the type of person to work on whatever is in my face. She
stayed in my ear, making sure I completed the book,” Devoux said. “Something that
held me back a lot while writing this was being afraid of getting the ‘perfect’ wrong
for little Black girls coming after me.”
With a smile and a point of pride, Madison Devoux showcases her book, “Hope Is an
Engineer,” a story designed to help young girls see themselves building, designing
and leading in STEM. (Photo Courtesy: Madison Devoux)
After long nights of revision, Devoux moved forward with the final process of illustrating. Determined to mirror her experiences as a child, her priority was representation among young Black girls everywhere.
“I really wanted the main character, Hope, to feel like me — not physically, but to feel like someone I grew up with. I wanted to reach that niche group of younger Black girls,” Devoux said. She added that it was extremely important to her that Hope was dark-skinned and had 4C hair, a natural hair type characterized by very tight, fragile and densely packed coils or zigzag patterns.
After eight weeks of formatting, illustrations and sketches, Hope was finally brought to life.
Devoux said her experience at FAMU played a central role in shaping her confidence, creativity and resilience.
Today, “Hope Is an Engineer” is available for purchase on Amazon, with a book signing expected in the near future.
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
