The US2020 STEM Mentoring Initiative, introduced in 2013, is a national movement to increase the level of on-going engagement between professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and K-12 youth. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Volunteer in Service to America, I served for one year with TechPoint Foundation for Youth as the US2020 Mentor Outreach Manager, increasing awareness of US2020 in business and on college campuses, recruiting mentors to lead STEM programs, and connecting mentors to youth-serving organizations. In partnership with the STEM Education Research Institute, we assessed the impact of our after-school STEM programs.

After starting my Master's program at IUPUI in Organizational Leadership, I maintained both a personal and professional relationship with my coworkers at TechPoint Foundation for Youth. As the US2020 Campus Coordinator, I took on the responsibility of connecting IUPUI students to STEM programs in Indianapolis. Through my graduate assistantship in the TLC Department, I have developed plans to scale IUPUI involvement in the US2020 Initiative. 

In addition to acting as a recruitment liaison for the Initiative, I took on all evaluation responsibilities. After the staff at TechPoint Foundation for Youth gather student data, I spend time familiarizing myself with the data, looking for trends and valuable findings to share with partners. I compile year-end reports regarding student impact and present to corporate, program, and education partners. Recently, I have also taken an interest in learning more about the mentor experience. See the poster and presentations attached below for more information on the findings.

STEM Mentorship Programs: A Corporate and University Perspective

Engagement Scholarship Consortium

October 2016 | Omaha, NE

What is the Impact of STEM Mentorship Programs on Mentors?

Engagement Scholarship Consortium

October 2016 | Omaha, NE

STEM Mentorship Programs: A Corporate and University Perspective

IUPUI Research Day

April 2016 | Indianapolis, IN