Role model profiles: Ronald D. Newsome

The main reason I chose engineering was because of my parents. At a young age, like most curious kids, I seemed to always take my toys apart to see how they worked. By my parents allowing me to do this, it nurtured my young mind into thinking I could build anything. So, from their encouragement and support, I later chose the engineering field and could not have made it through the challenging academic preparation without them. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology.

Newsome is a civil engineering administrator with the Alabama Department of Transportation. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of engineering with experiences in design, construction, materials and maintenance. He is presently the assistant state maintenance engineer responsible for supervision and coordination of activities required for all roadway maintenance operations, including the supervision of the Roadside Vegetation Management Program and Wildflower Program. He also coordinates activities related to Disaster Assistance and Hazardous Materials with the Emergency Management Agency. He is active in recruiting graduate engineers and professional civil engineer trainees for the department. Newsome is a member of the Alabama Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers.

"To be a true role model, we need to teach, bring someone up the ladder with you, advise and motivate individuals to the next level to become the best professionals or individuals they can be," says Newsome. He also provides tutoring to elementary, middle and high school students in mathematics and other related courses. Newsome states his tutoring provides the individual attention and encouragement they need to succeed.