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Dr. Zhou is an Associate Professor at the Engineering Department of Central Connecticut State University. Her research enthusiasm and expertise lie in quantitative analyses and modeling techniques, with applications in transportation planning and engineering. Recently, she has focused on issues of STEM education since planned and directed a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded outreach program: National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI).

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Sharon Okoye is a senior engineer with professional experience in transit asset plan management, federal-aid program development and implementation, major corridor feasibility studies and roadway intersection design. Sharon is also Director of Connecticut's Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC) program, and is currently working with state universities and the Department’s Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity to provide a 1-week summer program to introduce underrepresented high school students to college level transportation courses, as well as transportation careers, through the FHWA’s National Transportation Summer Institute grant program. Sharon is an active member of WTS CT Chapter’s Transportation You/Student Outreach Committee, and recipient of the WTS 2016 Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.
Sharon holds a BS degree in Civil Engineering from University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

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I am an energetic, organized and analytical professional with over 20 years' experience in the field of civil rights, implementing programs and establishing goals. I currently serve as the
Director of Equal Opportunity & Diversity from May 2011 - Present. I administer the NSTI Program for the CT Department of Transportation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). I am responsible for managing and directing the day-to-day operations of the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity; including the supervision of managerial and support staff. I direct, monitor and evaluate Affirmative Action, ADA, and Equal Employment Opportunity. I administer Contract Compliance for contractors receiving FTA funding, I provide vision for the office and give guidance, oversight, and coordinate office interactions with the various bureaus, federal, and state partners. I coordinate, plan, conduct, and manage statutorily mandated sexual harassment prevention and diversity training. I counsel employees on equal employment opportunity matters. I ensure agency compliance/adherence with affirmative action goals by reviewing recruitment and monitoring of employment practices. I participate in onsite FHWA and FTA EEO Compliance Reviews and serve as the Department's ADA/504 Coordinator. I conduct/supervise/review internal investigations for all complaints of discrimination filed by Department staff, consultants, and contractors filed against the Department to ensure non-violation of agency policies and procedures. I facilitate mediation sessions to resolve complaints at the lowest possible level.

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