Syreeta Dickerson Vaughn

Syreeta Vaughn is a senior nuclear safety specialist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In her work, she identifies hazards, evaluates accident scenarios, and is responsible for developing and implementing the nuclear safety controls to mitigate those hazards for Department of Energy category 1, 2, and 3 nuclear facilities. She has over 15 years of experience in nuclear safety and has supported various programs and projects at Y-12 National Nuclear Security Complex, Pantex Plant, Savannah River Site, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

After graduating from Carter High School in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, Mrs. Vaughn earned her Bachelor of Science degree, in geology, from Florida State University in 2002. In 2005, Vaughn became the first African American woman to earn a Master of Science degree in earth and planetary science from the University of Tennessee. After her first MS in geology, Mrs. Vaughn returned to UT to earn a second MS in industrial engineering in 2013, adding two graduate diplomas to her toolbox.

Vaughn is an active community member and currently serves as a member on the Tickle College of Engineering Board of Advisors and the EPS Advisory Board. Extremely active at UT, Vaughn was appointed to the UT Advisory Board by Governor Bill Haslam in 2018. As part of the board, she provides input on planning and budgeting for the Knoxville campus, ensuring manageable growth for years to come. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and is a member of the Jack and Jill of America, Inc., organizations which nurture which focus on civic service and philanthropy. Syreeta also serves as a steering committee member for Connect Knox and actively supports the Knoxville Area Urban League. In her spare time, she also mentors’ young professional engineers and high school students interested in STEM careers.

Vaughn was named one of Knoxville’s “40 Under 40” in 2013. In 2016, she was featured in “Without Limits,” a TEDx Knoxville talk. Syreeta was also awarded the UT Alumni Promise Award in 2019 along with a ranking of top engineer on her job.

Among all her achievements, her greatest achievement is wife to Clarence Vaughn, III, and mother to Nia, Jada, and Zya.

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Contact

Email: syreeta777@gmail.com

Professional Website: linkedin.com/in/syreetavaughn

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Research Interests

Environmental Geology, Hydrology, Uranium Contamination & Safety Controls

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Education

B.S. 2002, Geology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida M.S. 2005 Geology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee M.S. 2013 Industrial Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee