DeDe Griffith, Vice President of Workforce Development for Temple College, has been selected as one of six community college STEM leaders across the nation for a fellowship designed to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and workforce development.
An Advanced Technological Education grant from the National Science Foundation funds the CCPI-STEM Fellows program. It is one of several initiatives of the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (CCPI-STEM) that aim to strengthen community college faculty and administrators and nurture their leadership skills to grow and diversify the STEM technician workforce.
“It is an honor to serve in this role and to be able to bring new STEM resources here to the Central Texas region for our local community,” Griffith said.
The criteria used to evaluate the applicants included:
- Educational background
- STEM-related experience
- Leadership potential
- STEM leadership potential
- STEM community engagement
- Prior research experience
- Focus of their proposed research
Griffith’s research is focused on developing a STEM talent pipeline from preschool to employment. Griffith will work directly with community stakeholders, including school districts, business and industry, non-profit organizations, and government entities, to develop a Talent Strong community with a highly skilled STEM-strong workforce.
All the individuals in this first cohort of CCPI-STEM Fellows are pursuing graduate degrees and conducting research related to STEM education and workforce development at community colleges.
Griffith is pursuing a doctorate in community college leadership at the Kansas State University John E. Roueche Center for Community College Leadership.
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of students throughout Central Texas and beyond with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree, or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed an excellent academic reputation for more than 96 years. It is nationally recognized for excellence in its programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.