Cedric McGhee Square- March 2025

Cedric L. McGhee, P.E.

  • Chair
  • ACT-SO
  • NSBE President Emeritus
  • Civil Engineer
  • The Ohio State University, BS
  • University of Dayton, MS

Cedric McGhee grew up in humble beginnings of the Hilltop neighborhood in Southwest Dayton before spending most of his childhood as a resident of Five Oaks (just up the block from the NAACP Dayton Headquarters).

With the help of many, Mr. McGhee obtained a high school diploma at Colonel White High School for the Arts (1991) and furthered his education at The Ohio State University (1996, BS). After a post education at the University of Dayton (2004, MS), Mr. McGhee earned an Ohio professional engineer’s license (2007, PE). Mr. McGhee currently practices civil engineering as a bridge engineer for the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office. Mr. McGhee spent over 30 years in the industry.

Mr. McGhee spends many of his off-work hours in volunteer work. For several years prior to 2008, he devoted time to Project Reach Prison Ministries and Aspire Church. This prepared Mr. McGhee for his volunteer work today as Chair of the NAACP ACT-SO (Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics) Youth Program. In 2008, Mr. McGhee joined this ACT-SO Program under the guidance of former Chairlady Linda Bolds and former Chair Dr. Carl E. Moyler. Mr. McGhee is passionate about mentoring his students’ success in life even beyond ACT-SO and shares this success with Co-Chair Sylvan Davis. Mr. McGhee earned several awards including the 2016 Dayton Unit-Youth Empowerment Award. As treasurer for the NAACP (2017-2020), Mr. McGhee kept good financial stewardship of the budget under the leadership of Dr. Foward.

Mr. McGhee is also currently, President Emeritus of the National Society of Black Engineers-Dayton Professionals (NSBE). Mr. McGhee served as President from (2016-2018).

Mr. McGhee was one of the founding members of the OSU MEAS (Minority Engineering Alumni Society). Although this organization does not exist today, it helped establish the current NSBE/Dean Minnie M. McGee Endowment Scholarship.

Mr. McGhee also serves on the Board for the African-American Visual Arts Guild, (AAVAG). Mr. McGhee is a freelance artist and joined the group to sharpen his creative skills and participate in cultural exhibits.

In 2025, Mr. McGhee was inducted as a 2025 Top Ten African-American Alum recognized by Dayton Parity, Inc. This honor culminates all the volunteerism work above.

In his spare time, Mr. McGhee likes creating acrylic paintings, landscaping/working in the yard, travelling and spending time with family and friends.