- In full:
- Cheryl Lynn Shavers
- Born:
- December 26, 1953, San Marcos, Texas, U.S. (age 72)
Cheryl L. Shavers
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Who is Cheryl L. Shavers?
Cheryl L. Shavers, born on December 26, 1953, is an American chemist and engineer known for bringing her science and technology expertise to the business sector. From 1999 to 2001, she served as the undersecretary of commerce for technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Shavers is also recognized as a Black woman who became a leading innovator in fields that were previously dominated by white men. President Bill Clinton appointed Shavers to the position of undersecretary of commerce for technology in 1999, where she helped develop national programs and advised on science and technology policies. In 2001, Shavers cofounded Global Smarts, Inc., a business strategy advisory firm, where she served as chair and CEO.
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What fields did Cheryl L. Shavers study and work in?
Cheryl L. Shavers is an American chemist and engineer who has worked to bring her knowledge of science and technology to the business world. She received a B.S. in chemistry from Arizona State University in 1976 and a doctoral degree in solid-state chemistry from the same university in 1981.
Shavers's early career included an internship in forensic chemistry, but she later transitioned to technology, working as a project engineer in the semiconductor field at Motorola, Inc. She also worked as an engineer with the Hewlett-Packard Company and later joined Intel Corporation, where she rose to senior management. From 1999 to 2001, Shavers served as undersecretary of commerce for technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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What are some jobs Cheryl L. Shavers has had in science and engineering?
Cheryl L. Shavers, an American chemist and engineer, has held multiple positions in science and engineering. She started as an intern at the Phoenix Police Department crime lab, developing an enzyme test before moving to technology at Motorola, Inc., as a project engineer in the semiconductor field.
Shavers later worked as an engineer at Hewlett-Packard Company and then at various technology companies before joining Intel Corporation, where she advanced to senior management. From 1999 to 2001, she served as undersecretary of commerce for technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce, advising on science and technology policies. In 2001, Shavers cofounded Global Smarts, Inc., an advisory business on growth and strategy.
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How did Cheryl L. Shavers contribute to chemistry or engineering?
Cheryl L. Shavers, an American chemist and engineer, has made significant contributions to both fields. Early in her career, Shavers helped develop an enzyme test for evaluating evidence as an intern in the crime lab of the Phoenix Police Department. Later, while working as a project engineer at Motorola, Inc., in the semiconductor field, she earned a Ph.D. in solid-state chemistry from Arizona State University in 1981.
Shavers also worked as an engineer at Hewlett-Packard Company and later joined Intel Corporation, where she rose to senior management. In 1999, Bill Clinton appointed her undersecretary of commerce for technology, where she directed agencies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
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Did Cheryl L. Shavers hold any important government or leadership positions?
Cheryl L. Shavers, an American chemist and engineer, held significant government and leadership positions. From 1999 to 2001, she served as undersecretary of commerce for technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce, advising on science and technology innovations and policies. Shavers directed Department of Commerce agencies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology and represented the department on the National Science and Technology Councilâs Committee on National Security. In 2001, Shavers cofounded Global Smarts, Inc., where she served as chair and CEO. She also sat on the boards of directors for several companies involved in science and technology and promoted STEM fields among girls.
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Why is Cheryl L. Shavers considered a role model in science and technology?
Cheryl L. Shavers is considered a role model in science and technology because she brought her knowledge to the business world, and, as a Black woman, she became a leading innovator in fields previously dominated by white men.
Shavers's career includes roles at Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, and Intel Corporation, where she gained respect as a Black woman leader. President Bill Clinton appointed her undersecretary of commerce for technology in 1999. She also directed agencies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Shavers is also the cofounder, chair, and CEO of Global Smarts, Inc., a business strategy advisory company. She has sat on the boards of directors for several companies involved in science and technology and promoted STEM fields among girls.
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Cheryl L. Shavers (born December 26, 1953, San Marcos, Texas, U.S.) is an American chemist and engineer who sought to bring her knowledge of science and technology to the business world; from 1999 to 2001 she served as undersecretary of commerce for technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In addition, as a Black woman, she built a reputation as a leading innovator in fields previously dominated by white men.
Shavers and her elder sister were raised by their mother, who worked as a maid. The family lived in a largely African American section of southern Phoenix, Arizona. When Shavers was a teenager, she witnessed a forensic science teamâs investigation of a neighbourâs murder. That experience led her to pursue a career in science.
After receiving an associateâs degree (1973) from Mesa Community College, Shavers studied chemistry at Arizona State University (B.S. 1976). She then began an internship in the crime laboratory of the Phoenix Police Department. Initially tasked with scientific work, she notably helped develop an enzyme test useful for evaluating evidence. However, the laboratory director soon shifted her to menial jobs, such as washing police cars. Disillusioned, Shavers quit the internship and switched from forensic chemistry to technology. While working at Motorola, Inc., as a project engineer in the semiconductor field, she returned to Arizona State University. In 1981 she earned a doctoral degree in solid-state chemistry.
Shavers subsequently began working as an engineer with the Hewlett-Packard Company in California. However, after her boss disregarded many of her innovative attempts to increase productivity, she moved to the companyâs legal department. There she handled patent applications while attending law school at night. Unsatisfied with that career path, Shavers spent the next few years working in engineering positions at various technology companies. In 1987 she took a job with Intel Corporation, a manufacturer of semiconductor computer circuits. She rose through the ranks to senior management, gaining respect as a Black woman leader. During that time she also wrote a weekly column for the San Jose Mercury News (now The Mercury News), in which she gave career advice.
In 1999 U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton appointed Shavers undersecretary of commerce for technology. In that position Shavers helped to create national programs and advised the secretary of commerce on innovations and policies in the fields of science and technology. Shavers directed such Department of Commerce agencies as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which encourages the use of technology to increase industrial competitiveness and economic security. She also represented the department on several committees, including the National Science and Technology Councilâs Committee on National Security. She remained undersecretary until Clintonâs presidential term ended in January 2001.
In 2001 Shavers cofounded and became chair and chief executive officer of Global Smarts, Inc., which advises businesses on growth and strategy. She also sat on the boards of directors for several companies involved in science and technology and promoted STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields among girls. Shavers received many awards and honours during her career.