This session explores the educational landscape of Arizona’s under-represented and under-served students. We will share ways that disadvantaged students fare in our education system, types of programs that exist, and personal stories of individuals who entered STEM through academic and industry paths. Participants will be introduced to a) approaches used across our nation for STEM advancements that may be leveraged in Arizona, b) inspiring stories for cultivating a sense of belonging, and c) experiential learning exercises that help educators with STEM communication. Diversity and inclusion is paramount to the U.S. reaching its 21st Century STEM goals. According to the recently-published annual report by The Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT Data Book, Arizona students are at risk. While Arizona is one of the lowest ten states in education, improvements in math proficiency were the most notable area of progress, propelling the state from 35th in 2015 to 18th in 2016. Arizona eighth graders performed better than the national average on the National Assessment of Educational Progress test, with 65% in our state not meeting proficiency, while nationally, that statistic is 68%. Better scores can be attributed to an aggressive effort pushed by public K-12 schools to adopt and meet more rigorous math standards. One of the leaks into the pipeline for students entering STEM has been through creating environments for learning and belonging.
Intended audience: Students, educators, and civic leaders of all experience levels, including those who are not a part of the education sector, are welcome. There is no limit on the number of participants.
Presenters:
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Carmen Cornejo (Moderator), Lacey and Larkin Frontera Fund, Program Manager, Chicanos Por La Causa, Critical Mass Communications LLC
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Dr. Karen Hardin, Ed.D., L.P.C., Faculty Emeritus MCCCD, Educational and Counseling Consultant, President and Founder of C.E.S., Inc. STEM Academy
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Carl Davenport, General Manager, Product Development Engineering & Silicon Operations, Platform Engineering and Development (PED), Internet of Things Group (IOTG), Intel Corporation
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Dr. Arlisa Richardson, Physic Faculty, Chandler-Gilbert Community College
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Alberto Esparza, President & CEO, Founder of the Si Se Puede Foundation
Carmen Cornejo is a communications professional who has advocated STEM inclusion for underprivileged communities. She has promoted histories of STEM success with the news media, the US Congress, and diverse organizations.
She is a member of the Board of Directors for Chicanos por la Causa and the Si Se Puede Foundation. Currently, she is Program Manager with the Lacey and Larkin Frontera Fund, an immigrant rights organization. Follow Carmen @desertcarmen
Dr. Karen Hardin, MCCCD Faculty Emeritus –– Is MCCCD Faculty Emeritus with over thirty years of experience in higher education. She is the founder of the scholarship program, Students Striving Toward Excellent Performance (STEP) which focuses on understanding self efficiency, motivation and determination of minority students. She was voted MCC Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2010 by her peers because of her dedication to teaching and learning while mentoring students. She was recognized as a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society faculty mentor in April 2011. This award was given because of her high quality performance and service to students. Professor Hardin has helped students obtain thousands of dollars in scholarships which in part lead to her selection as the YWCA Educator of the Year in 2005. Hardin was founder of the “Non-Traditional Career Institute for Young Girls devoted to preparing young girls for career in the STEM field in the early 1990’s. As a counseling and educational consultant she continues to create STEM opportunities for under-resourced youth in the community.
Carl A. Davenport, General Manager, Product Development Engineering & Silicon Operations, Platform Engineering and Development (PED) / Internet of Things Group (IOTG), Intel Corporation, Chandler, AZ — Carl is the General Manager of Product Development Engineering (PDE) and Silicon Operations (SiOPs) in the Platform Engineering and Development (PED) / IoT Group (IOTG).
Carl manages a highly diverse PDE/SiOPs team spread across four countries. Carl’s PDE team develops unique derivatives of Intel Architecture products for IoT, Communications, Industrial, Intelligent Transportation and general purpose applications. Carl’s SiOPs team works with Intel’s global factory network to support and sustain the IOTG Long-Life product roadmap to ensure product availability for IOT lifetimes.
Carl has been with Intel in Chandler, Arizona for 31 of his 35 years of industry experience. Carl has worked in numerous technical and management positions in Manufacturing/Fab and Divisional Business Units. Carl previously worked at Delco Electronics and Philips Research Laboratories. Carl is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1981.
Carl is blessed with an amazing family, wife Rachel (best friend, the core), daughters Gabrielle 21 (ASU, Barrett Honors College, EE major), Carly 18 (Stanford Univ. EE major; my golf buddy). Carl’s interest and hobbies include studying ancient civilizations, golfing, fishing, hunting and supporting STEM education. Carl’s Moral Compass: To whom much is given, must is expected!
Dr. Arlisa Richardson, Physics Faculty, Chandler-Gilbert Community — Arlisa L. Richardson is a residential Physics faculty member at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Prior to joining Chandler-Gilbert, she served as the Director of Learning Support Services at Estrella Mountain Community College, where she worked collaboratively with faculty and staff to implement and support effective pedagogies in the Learning Support Centers.
Arlisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Grambling State University, a Masters of Science in Physics from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Science Education from Arizona State University. Her research examined the impact of team interactions and gender on Freshman Engineering design teams. Her dissertation won the American Society of Engineering Education 2008 Best Paper Award in the PICIII division.
Arlisa has ten years experience as an engineer and more than ten years experience within the Maricopa Community College district. She is committed to teaching, student success and improving the educational experience for all students.
Alberto Esparza founded the Si Se Puede Foundation in 1993. Alberto earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University and obtained his Master’s Degree from Northern Arizona University. His efforts teaching young people the importance of education is on-going as he develops the next generation of community leaders. Alberto has served on several volunteer boards and commissions, including the Phoenix Human Relations Commission (HRC) and as co-founder of the City of Phoenix national award-winning cultural diversity program, “We’re all on the Same Team.” While serving on the HRC, he served as ambassador for cultural diversity by promoting opportunities for positive exchange among diverse groups through community outreach, education and cultural diversity awareness. Over the last twenty-years, Alberto has guided the foundation in becoming a bridge builder and leader in providing community programs that improve the quality of life and strengthen communities, families and youth in the Phoenix and Chandler areas. Under the leadership of Alberto, the foundation recently earned the 2016 Cox After-school STEM award and also earned FRC Rookie All-Star Award, FRC Inspiration in Engineering Award and received City of Chandler Key to the City for excellence in education.