Renesha (R. L.) Hendrix

Renesha Hendrix is a full-time Lecturer in Computer Science Education at Savannah State University, where she is dedicated to delivering high-quality, accessible learning opportunities for students from diverse communities. She is an expert in computer science education, specializing in teaching programming, building foundational digital skills, and creating pathways into computing for students who may not otherwise have exposure to technology.

She entered the field in 2015 when she began her Ph.D. journey in computer science, a moment she considers the true start of her career in computing. Over the last decade, she has taught, mentored, and created programs dedicated to equity in technology education, shaping future generations of computer science students.

In addition to her university role, Renesha serves as an independent education consultant, helping develop and implement K-12 computer science curricula and creating hands-on learning experiences that introduce young learners to coding and computational thinking. At SSU, her daily responsibilities include teaching courses, grading assignments, holding office hours, and advising students. She is deeply committed to building confidence in students who may feel intimidated by computing, often staying after hours to provide extra support and individualized instruction.

Renesha's most meaningful achievement was her work with a Latino after-school program in Atlanta, where she introduced students to programming through Scratch, Arduinos, and LEGO Mindstorms. Seeing these students create their first projects and watching their sense of pride grow confirmed her calling to expand coding education to underserved communities and continues to shape her professional mission.

Renesha Hendrix's professional success and philosophy are guided by the enduring quote from A Different World: "Create your own destiny and make your name count." She attributes her ability to live by this principle to the foundational freedom and support she received early in life.

1. Foundational Freedom: Renesha credits her mother with providing the crucial space and trust necessary to explore her interests without constraint, allowing her to develop a passionate and focused career path.
2. Mentorship and Counsel: Her resilience and determination were constantly reinforced by a powerful network of female mentors. This group of godmothers and "unofficially adopted mothers" provided consistent counsel, essential life lessons, and unwavering support that anchored her professional journey and personal resilience.

Ultimately, Renesha attributes her success to internalizing this belief in self-determination, backed by faith, and fueled by the knowledge that she has a strong foundation of love and accountability.

Renesha Hendrix's primary advice to young women entering the computer science industry centers on mindset and unwavering perseverance.

1. Redefine Rejection: She advises them to remember that every "no" encountered is not a rejection but often a redirection toward something more aligned with their true purpose and strengths.
2. Trust Your Path: Women entering computing must be encouraged to trust their abilities and actively create their own professional paths, refusing to be discouraged or limited by challenges they face in the field.
3. Persevere to the End: Renesha emphasizes that perseverance is the most powerful tool. Staying committed to the end, even when obstacles arise, always produces significant personal growth and opens doors to new opportunities.

Renesha Hendrix identifies the biggest overall challenge in computer science education right now as the difficulty of recruiting and retaining students, especially young women and students from underserved communities.

The Challenge: Recruiting students into the computer science pipeline, and subsequently retaining them once they begin their studies, has become increasingly difficult. This problem is exacerbated by factors like shifting academic motivations and the draw of alternative opportunities outside the formal education system.

The Opportunity: The significant opportunity lies in addressing these pipeline issues by making computing education feel more welcoming, more relevant, and more supportive from the earliest exposure. Renesha believes the field must move toward strategic, intentional initiatives:

• Developing curriculum that demonstrates the social and cultural relevance of computing.
• Implementing community-focused programs built specifically to support underrepresented groups.
• Providing dedicated, consistent mentorship to create durable pathways into the industry.

By tackling both recruiting and retention through intentional inclusion and relevance, computer science educators can ensure the next generation of technologists truly reflects the diversity of the world.

I. Core Values

Renesha Hendrix's professional and personal conduct is guided by a strong ethical framework. The core values guiding her work are service, authenticity, and perseverance.

• Service & Authenticity: She holds herself to a high moral standard, believing deeply in doing right by her students and creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people can grow. She is committed to ensuring her work authentically meets the needs of underserved communities.
• Personal Foundation: In her personal life, she values loyalty, family, and gratitude, driven by the belief that everyone has a purpose—and she strives every day to live in alignment with her own.

II. Personal Life and Balance

Renesha finds balance and rejuvenation through various activities that help her unwind and reconnect:

• Hobbies: She enjoys traveling, crocheting, reading, watching movies, and staying connected to her alma mater, Jackson State University. These activities help her unwind, reconnect with herself, and stay balanced as she juggles teaching and community work.

III. Future Goals and Long-Term Vision

Renesha’s long-term vision centers on multiplying her impact to increase equity in tech education:

• Nonprofit Establishment: Her primary long-term goal is to establish a nonprofit coding program to bring free technology education to underprivileged children in small towns.
• Scalable Impact: She ultimately wants to shift focus toward training teachers to teach computer science, thereby scaling her efforts and expanding access far beyond what one person can do alone.
• Mission Focus: Her overarching professional mission is to increase female representation in computing and actively create products, resources, and opportunities designed specifically with young women in mind.