Alexis Scott-Boster shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Alexis, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
In 2023, I took up a new hobby of ballroom dancing. I went to the studio to only take one free salsa lesson. However, I did not realize how much I would actually enjoy it. Now, I have learned about ten new dances to include waltz tango foxtrot merengue, bachata, (and of course salsa lol) and several swing dances. I have competed in several dance events both local and outside of the US.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Alexis Scott-Boster. I consider myself a Quadruple E: Educator, Entrepreneur, Engineer, and Elocutionist. As an Entrepreneur, I founded AMS Academic Solutions to share my gift of numbers and education to others. As an Engineer, I have managed a dept of 90+ engineers in the field of Cybersecurity. As an Educator, I have been teaching / tutoring mathematics for over 30 years including 18 years a college mathematics professor. As an Elocutionist, I have taken all of those mentioned passions and began speaking about my experiences as a woman in STEM/STEAM. I was the 2017 recipient of the NSBE Hidden Figure Award. I am on the board for Black Girls Go Global Foundation to encourage young women into the STEM fields. I have published several books in the area of STEM. I was a featured alumni in newsletters from both my undergraduate institution of Spelman College and my graduate institution of University of North Texas. I am currently working on another book and a podcast which will showcase more women in the STEM fields.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
The topic of many of my speaking engagements involve being invisible. I often quote from Ralph Ellison from his novel Invisible Man: “I am invisible; understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I have been surrounded by mirrors of hard, distorting glass. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination, indeed, everything and anything except me.” – Ralph Ellison I did not believe that I could be successful in STEM because women were not thought to be smart enough in those areas to succeed. I often hid my intelligence. I did enough to maintain a “good” grade but I did not do anything more to stand out. It took an internal realization that I mattered and what I had to say and offer mattered. I had to learn not to sit idly by and wait to be acknowledged by another. I had to learn to acknowledge myself and be comfortable with that knowledge. I had to embrace my intelligence and not be afraid to share it. Once I acknowledged myself, many people also began to acknowledge me. Realizing that I deserved to be seen allowed me to throw off that coat of invisibility.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me alot. You often learn more by things that do not feel good vs when everything is okay and you are overcome by the joy of the matter. Suffering has taught me that I am resilient. That bad / unpleasant things do not last. It has taught me to look at things in a different way which in many cases might be a better way than what was originally thought. No one wants to suffer and I will take success over suffering any day. However, I do appreciate the times that I have had to endure. It makes me appreciate so much more when there is success and not to take it for granted.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. Pretty much what you see is what I am. There is maybe 2% of myself that I do not share because I do believe we should all keep some things away from others. However, my passion for education and speaking and encouraging others in the STEM fields is 100% genuine.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference. I want to be remembered as someone who got others who do not look like the norm to want to sit at the table and been seen. I want young women to not be afraid of their intelligence and embrace the STEM careers if they so choose. I want people to realize that you do not have to remain in boxes that others create for you that you can successfully create your own boxes (and that it does not have to be 1 (one) box. lol)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amsacademicsolutions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexismath1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexismscott1/
- Twitter: https://x.com/AlexisMath22
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMathServices
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexisMathSrv
