"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity." — Amelia Earhart
Join us in honoring the women who make science accessible every day!
The Vision
On February 11, the world recognizes the International Day of Women and Girls in Science—a day dedicated to achieving full and equal access to STEM. At Operation Xcel, we don’t just celebrate this day; we live it. Our foundation was built by a woman who mastered the world of Electrical Engineering and then decided to re-engineer the future for Guilford County students.
From Xerox to Xcel:
Charlene Gladney’s journey is one of "precision meets passion." With a Bachelor’s from NC State University and a Master’s from NC A&T State University—both in Electrical Engineering—Charlene spent 20 years at Xerox Corporation. She was a woman thriving in a field where gender disparities persist.
However, her most important "data point" came from the students she mentored at her church. When they told her school was "too hard," and they were ready to drop out, Charlene made a decision that Amelia Earhart would have admired: she acted. She traded a corporate career for a community mission, founding Operation Xcel to prove that with the right support, no subject is "too hard."
Thousands of students’ lives have been transformed through the foundation Charlene built—work that positioned Operation Xcel as a model program recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction last year. Under her visionary leadership, Operation Xcel has not only endured, but thrived, continuing its impact for 18 years and counting.
A Catalyst for Confidence:
Meet Selena Keith. We recently sat down with Selena Keith to discuss her mission in the classroom. For Selena, the transition from the labs to the classroom of a public middle school was about more than just teaching formulas—it was about normalization. Selena brings that scientific rigor to our Operation Homework (afterschool) and 3-Steps Ahead (summer) programs. Recently honored as Operation Xcel's Staff of the Month, Selena is known for creating experiments that turn intimidating concepts into "aha!" moments.
"Representation in STEM should be normalized," Selena says. "It should never be surprising to see Black scientists or women chemists.
When students see themselves reflected in scientific spaces, it broadens what they believe is possible."
The Chemist’s Journey
Selena’s expertise is backed by a powerhouse professional background. A graduate of Lincoln University (PA), the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU, Selena spent years at the highest levels of the field. Before joining Southwest Middle School and Operation Xcel, she served as a professional chemist for the Department of Energy, Procter & Gamble, and several major chemical manufacturing firms.
Her work spanned critical research in flue gas, pesticide development, and pharmaceutical testing. This high-level industry experience is exactly what allows her to translate complex theories into the exciting, hands-on projects—like making "boba balls" with Gatorade—that define the Operation Xcel experience.
The Catalyst of Curiosity
From creating "Carbon Snakes", "making caramel out of sugar", to using a "Van de Graaff generator to make hair stand on end", Selena turns abstract concepts into tangible memories. She even guides students through taking apart non-working gaming systems to demystify the circuitry inside.
The "Archers" of the Future
Selena attributes her passion to her own upbringing. "I often think of parents as archers and children as arrows," she explains. "Our arrows were intentionally aimed at STEM, and that early guidance made a lasting difference." At Operation Xcel, we strive to be those archers, helping our students—especially our girls—aim for the stars.
Together, Charlene and Selena serve as living proof for our girls: You can be a chemist. You can be an electrical engineer. You can be the leader who changes the world!
Help Us Engineer a Brighter Future
At Operation Xcel, we are experts in STEM, but we are always students of our community. As we celebrate the next generation of innovators, we want to hear from you. How can we do better? Whether it’s a specific STEM career you’d like us to feature, a new technology you think our students should explore, or a community partnership we should pursue—your feedback helps us aim our "arrows" even higher.
[Click Here to Send Us Your Ideas/Feedback] [Click Here to Help More Girls & Boys Succeed in STEM/STEAM]
