About Dr. Blat:
Dr. Cathy Blat is the Assistant Dean for Student Experiences and the Director of the Office of Student Development and Success (OSDS). She received a BSEE in Electrical Engineering, an MSE in Mechanical Engineering, and a Ph.D in Mathematics Education. all from UNC Charlotte. She was selected as the UNC Charlotte Woman of the Year in 2006 and was honored by the Latin American Student Organization in 2010 by receiving the Latina Woman Award.
Dr. Blat serves as an advisor to UNC Charlotte's chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. She serves as a committee member on the College of Engineering's Diversity Committee and as the Treasurer for the UNC Charlotte Latinx/Hispanic Faculty and Staff Caucus.
She was born in Venezuela and enjoys spending time with her family. Her and her husband have a son, daughter, grand daughter. They currently have a grandson on the way.
Recent/Major Scholarship
About Dr. Rodriguez-Medina:
Dr. Bienvenido Rodriguez-Medina is a Lab Manager with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He earned his M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez Campus and a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University.
Dr. Rodriguez-Medina enjoyes working with the Charlotte 49ers Basebal team as their Director of Baseball Analytics.
Recent/Major Scholarship:
About Dr. Baez-Rivera:
Dr. Yamilka Baez-Rivera is the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Engineering Technology and Construction Management. She earned a BS and MS from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez Campus in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University. Her primary research consists of modeling and simulations, visualization and hardware in the loop, which is the integration of equipment in real-time simulations used to develop a smarter and more intelligent electric power grid. Before coming to UNC Charlotte, Dr. Baez-Rivera taught engineering technology and medical imaging at ECPI University.
Yamilka has worked with the Simmons YMCA in East Charlotte as a Board Member and on their Youth Committee. She has volunteered with Communities in Schools to speak with young girls with an interest in the STEM fields.
Yamilka is a member of the Inclusive Excellence Grants Committee, as well as the Latinx/Hispanic Faculty and Staff Caucus. In her spare time, Yamilka attends multiple sports events around campus as well as being the Team Mom for both her kid’s baseball teams. She is originally from Adjuntas, Puerto Rico where her family still lives.
Recent/Major Scholarship:
About Marta Falcon:
Marta Falcon is the Academic Advisor for undergraduate students in the Department of Engineering Technology and Construction Management. She has a B.S. from the University of Miami and M.S. in Business Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. In 2022 she received Wingate University's MLK Award and served as a mentor for Coins of Service. She also served as the advisor to the ALPFA Student Organization at Wingate, where she helped students in the Latinx community with the college application process and FAFSA.
Marta is originally from Valencia, Venezuela and her parents are Cuban. She loves to travel with her husband and two daughters, practice and teach yoga, and help students (especially Latinx and first gen) achieve their educational and career goals.
