STAFF
Since the founding of ckingknowledge Institute on 2020 June 25 it has been 100% operated by volunteers. These are human beings who live as the change they want to see in the world. The courage of our volunteer Staff inspire each of us to be versatile engineers who advance humanity. Thank you to these shining lights!
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Dauan Hendley Jr.
Mr. Hendley earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University. He currently works as a Battery Developer Engineer for electric vehicles in the automotive industry.
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Mr. Hendley has had a passion for engineering and technology since deciding to pursue engineering in 2020. As the treasurer for the National Society of Black Engineers at Michigan State University in 2023 and 2024. He was able to bring opportunities to students on campus through networking events and professional development workshops with over 15 prospective employers.
In addition he participated in multiple youth initiatives to teach children about STEM careers and show them through hands on activities. Through his team’s leadership they were able to take a total of 78 students to NSBE’s national and regional conferences. In addition, he raised scholarship funds for 6 students. His NSBE collegiate chapter won 2nd best chapter in the region out of 92 chapters and multiple awards on campus for being an outstanding professional and academic organization.
Secretary, Board of Directors
Di'Quan Ishmon
Mr. Ishmon is the first-ever graduate of Northern Illinois University's Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics; which enabled the university to become accredited. He works with robots professionally, teaches youth about about robotics, and flies drones for money and for fun.
Co-Founder & Vice-President, Board of Directors
Jenell Kelly, Ph.D
Dr. Kelly has been a robotics club coach since 2016. She started coaching in the F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League Jr league, then moved to the VEX IQ league in 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Human and Community Development from the University of Illinois.
"In addition to teaching at the university level, I have several years of experience working with young children as an intern, volunteer, mentor, teacher, and robotics coach. Whether I am working with preschoolers or college students, I enjoy tapping into my inner child to help students learn and I always try to make learning fun! As a mother of three, I become excited when I witness my children learning about the world around them. I feel the same excitement watching all human beings stretch their thinking, cultivate their talents, and tap into their full potential to make the world a better place."
Co-Founder & President, Board of Directors
Will Hill
Mr. Hill has been a Youth Robotics Competition Team Coach since 2014. He started coaching in the F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League Jr league, then moved to the VEX IQ league for his 5th season… where his rookie team earned a trophy at a tournament out of 40+ teams and won 4th place at a separate tournament out of 30+ teams.
Mr. Hill earned a B.S. in Computer Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has over 15 years of sales, marketing, & business development experience for small and large multinational electronics and software technology companies.
Mr. Hill created the ckingknowledge brand around the year 2000 as a personal email address. It was invented to express a deep-rooted passion for lifelong learning. Carrying this fire into becoming a parent while living as a proud nerd, he complained to his wife about his nephew not choosing engineering in college, like he preached for over 8 years. She kindly educated him that he needed to 'show his children engineering' if he was serious about influencing them to choose engineering as a career. So, they created ckingknowledge Robotics Club in 2016; then, created ckingknowledge Institute on 2020 June 25.
Mr. Hill can be reached at will.hill@ckingknowledge.org