Columbia, Missouri, United States
I am a curious, innovative, and life-long learner dedicated to shaping the future of graduate education and research through a humanistic lens. As Dean of the Graduate College at Missouri State University, I lead with empathy, vision, and an intrapreneurial spirit to build a thriving and forward-looking graduate education enterprise serving ALL students. My scholarly work spans STEM education research with a focus on Problem-Based Learning, empathy and humility in engineering and other technical fields, and the responsible integration of AI in education research. Over the course of my career, I have secured more than $42 million in competitive research funding and published widely on these topics, advancing both theory and practice in humanistic STEM education. I thrive at the intersection of innovation and collaboration—building bridges between faculty, students, and external partners to reimagine what graduate education can achieve for individuals, communities, and society. My leadership style emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and courage, always seeking to unlock new possibilities while grounding decisions in evidence and values. 🔹 Specialties: Graduate education leadership | Humanistic STEM education | Problem-Based Learning | Empathy & humility in teaching | AI in education research | Grant strategy & development | Organizational innovation & intrapreneurship * Expert grant leader and organizer who has achieved $42 million in highly competitive grants and contracts from funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, DARPA, FQRSC, SSHRC, and private/corporate foundations.
As Dean of the Graduate College, I provide vision and leadership for graduate education at Missouri State University, ensuring the success of all graduate students (degree-seeking and non-degree seeking) across diverse programs. In addition, I support the research enterprise of the university. My role bridges academic excellence, student success, and institutional growth.
- Established the Office of Research Support, a full service research infrastructure support office for the College of Education. - Lead endowed center for K-12 Computer Science Education with R&D projects in Learning Sciences, AI education and AI-based education research ($3,000,000 in operating and grant budget). - Lead business development and grant initiatives within the College of Education resulting in grant proposals of $9,000,000. - Established speaking and workshop series based on improving grant opportunities, budget and grant writing processes. - Facilitate and support successful interdisciplinary grant teams for education, advanced manufacturing, industrial engineering, health sciences and interinstitutional research partnerships. - Lead the College of Education Research-Practice Partnership (Paso del Norte) with eight (8) school districts in the greater El Paso region to facilitate research and teacher training.
- Co-Directed a team of 10 STEM and CS education research professionals to design, deploy, research and evaluate educational products related to STEM & CS education. - Contributed to project teams delivering complex services to the Quantum Economic Development Consortium and several funded federal grants - Built internal partnerships within SRI to develop strategies to utilize technologies for education development. - Mentored fellow staff in grant writing, professional growth and career development.
- Founded and played integral role in WeMake Design & Learn Lab, a makerspace and online learning platform for non-technical majors. Oversaw 15 undergraduate employees serving over 300 students annually. - Co-led efforts on a major US Department of Education SEED grant providing STEM teacher professional development for middle school teachers on 3D printing and empathy which resulting in an award of $18m over 5 years. - Served on campus and college-wide committees such as faculty council and on university tenure and promotion committees.
Research, teaching and service in Engineering and STEM Education
Started the office of Educational Outreach at one of the largest colleges of engineering in the US. Built a network of PreK through 12 students, teachers, career counselors and administrators to develop programs to foster and spark interest in engineering careers. Engaged with faculty and research partners to support grand writing, grant management and programmatic offerings through summer camps, outreach activities. - Partnered with recruitment office to grow the number of high schools participating in program from 12 to 24. - Developed network of elementary schools to participate in the program, eventually growing to 30 school districts. - Lead successful strategic planning process and the creation of the P-12 Community Engagement Board including external advisors from school and industry community. - Designed and developed online courses for teachers on integrating engineering (offered to 500 teachers in the state of Texas). - Supported six federal grants with educational and recruitment components. - Created and led workshops for hundreds of career counselors on preparing students for colleges of engineering