Executive Director and PI, National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT). I’ve worked in the Aerospace and Autonomous technology industries for 18 years.  My career has involved creating unmanned aircraft system programs across state and federal organizations and higher education. In 2011, Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN launched the nation’s first UAS maintenance program.  Over the past 8 years I have served on the leadership team at Northland, which has raised over $37 million in advancing autonomous technology education. I have led four NSF ATE awards as a Principal Investigator, working with a dedicated team to create professional development workshops, STEM engagement opportunities, educational pathways, industry partnerships and expanded educational resources in autonomous technologies.

Center Manager of MNT-EC (I am not employed by a college but by contract for Pasadena City College). I have been involved in ATE since 2011 when I was a student at Dakota County Technical College’s Nanoscience Technician program in Rosemount, MN. Before I graduated, DCTC hired me to work on the Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education Grant. I moved up from being a project coordinator/lab manager to the project manager. From there I moved to the Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) where I am currently the Center Manager. My time with Nano-Link allowed me to go back to school and get my BS in Project Management in 2020. In my time off, I love being a rock hound. Arkansas has quite a few places where you can dig up your own crystals or diamonds. Another thing I enjoy is wood working. I love to build things for other people that they need or can benefit from.

Executive Director/PI for the National Science Foundation ATE-funded National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education (MatEdU) and PI for the ATE-funded Project Technician Education in Additive Manufacturing and Materials (TEAMM), both housed at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Washington. I have over 20 years of experience in manufacturing education, have developed technician training programs for industry and educational institutions, serve on numerous committees and national boards and worked in various industries prior to holding administrative positions in the community and technical college system.

Currently external evaluator for several ATE projects and a regional center. I served as PI for two NSF ATE advanced manufacturing projects and as Co-PI for an ATE project in additive manufacturing. The projects involved research, curriculum development, collaboration with faculty across several institutions, and professional development. With over twenty-five years of experience developing partnerships and implementing professional development and training programs for companies in Central/Western Maine, I served on boards for several local and state economic and workforce development organizations and raised over $3 million to fund the renovation and expansion of the precision machining lab at Central Maine Community College. My career began as a technology education teacher in middle and high schools.

Principal Investigator for an NSF project entitled Engaging Students from Classrooms and Camps to College and Technical Careers. I am a professor of Biology at Northwestern Connecticut Community College, where I have been teaching since 1998. I am a member of Mentor Connect’s first cohort of mentees and was awarded a New to ATE NSF grant to start a manufacturing program in 2014. I have served as a community college liaison for the EvaluATE Center and am a member of the National ATE Principal Investigators’ Conference Steering Committee.  I am very active in Biology Education reform and currently serve as president of the National Association of Biology Teachers.

Vice President of College Advancement and Executive Director of the NTC Foundation at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, WI. I have written, implemented, monitored, and closed grants at NTC for 13 years with awards of nearly $90M. I am a PI for a USDA SARE grant and been a reviewer for the US Department of Education. I was part of an NTC team in Mentor Connect’s Cohort 8—what a fabulous experience! I have worked in community/technical colleges for 30 years and appreciate that no matter what role one plays in higher education, it makes a positive impact on students, employers, and communities. I enjoy spending time with my four adult children, reading, writing, and beekeeping.

Associate Director and Co-PI of the ATE Center of Excellence for Geospatial Technology (GeoTech Center), Jefferson Community and Technical College, Louisville, KY for the past ten years. The GeoTech Center focuses on supporting community college geospatial programs. Prior to joining the Center, I was Higher Education Manager at Esri, a major geospatial software company, where I helped educators start or expand their geospatial programs. I have served as Co-PI on several other grants focused on geospatial technology, including a California Community College Geographic information system Network grant from the state of California and NSF ATE grants that include Geographic Information System Access and two iGETT projects. My education includes BS and MS degrees in geology and additional graduate studies in geography.

Agribusiness Instructor at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. I am also a PhD student in Leadership Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I was the replacement PI for Northeast’s first ATE project, which created a precision agriculture workforce ladder via curriculum and training, and I now serve as Co-PI on an ATE project focused on Precision Agriculture in the Urban Environment. I have served as a mentor and advisor to the Northeast grant’s office through NSF grant proposal applications, including two National Center proposals. I am particularly interested in building and improving effective grant management teams, increasing data-driven decision making, and building dynamic cross-collaborative curriculums. When not in the classroom I can be found working as a Director at Camp Geiger scout camp in Saint Joseph, Missouri or traveling and exploring the world.

Co-PI for the NSF-ATE Micro Nano Technology Education Center. I was the Director/PI of the NSF-ATE Midwest Photonics Education Center and a PI for 2 NSF projects. I also served as Co-PI for the OP-TEC national center and served on an NSF National Visiting Committee. I retired from Indian Hills Community College where I served as the Department Chair of Advanced Manufacturing and previously as the Industrial Technology Coordinator and Robotics/Automation Instructor. I have a Master’s Degree in Higher Education & Community College Leadership from Iowa State University, a BA Degree in Psychology from Buena Vista University and an AA and AAS Degree in Electronics Technology from IHCC. I have experience as a Silicon Valley senior field service engineer in semiconductor manufacturing.

Director of Mechatronics at South Central College (SCC), North Mankato, MN and PI for the Independent Mechatronics Education Curriculum (iMEC) NSF grant, focused on developing a distance learning model that utilizes online, simulation, and remote-access delivery methods for the Mechatronics Engineering Technology (MET) AAS degree program. The project will build a pipeline of workers and increase access to MET training. I also directed a Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training grant that helped launch the Mechatronics program at SCC. I am a panelist on the Mechatronics Community Exchange, sponsored by the Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE) Center. I also conduct workshops at the High Impact Technology Exchange (HI-TEC) conferences, and I worked 18 years in industry as Engineering Manager and President, specializing in surface mount packaging.

Director, Automotive Technology Program, Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon. I served as PI on Central Oregon’s first New-to-ATE grant, which developed curriculum to address needed training in vehicle electrification systems. We were also selected for an NSF-ATE project grant, on which I serve as PI to develop advanced vehicle training standards for technicians working with high-voltage and high-pressure vehicle systems. After completing an A.S. Degree from Southwest Junior College, I worked as an Automotive Technician and then business owner before moving to Central Oregon to teach at and direct an Automotive Technology Program - now for 28 years. Jacque and I have seven children and are crowned with seven grandchildren. My main credibility in the NSF community is that I call Elaine and Fred Craft my friends.

Director for Grants Evaluation and Compliance with McIntyre Leadership Development Group, Fayetteville NC. After 24 years of corporate textile product development and operations management, in 2004 I began my career in higher education as a biology faculty member with Robeson Community College, in Lumberton NC. During my 17-year career in higher education, along with administrative positions, I have served as PI for NSF S-STEM, USDE Title III and TRiO Student Support Services grants, Instructional Director for an NSF-ATE project and mentor for the NIH Bridges to Baccalaureate program. I thoroughly enjoy performing utility work with my 53 Ford Jubilee tractor and playing games with our 12 grandchildren.

Retired Professor and Program Chair of the Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Welding Technology programs at Illinois Central College, and Co-PI for Weld-Ed, the National Center for Welding Education and Training.  I am also the PI for a Weld-Ed project in collaboration with the ASNT to identify NDT student learning outcomes. I hold Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Illinois State University and a Doctorate from the University of Illinois. I am a consultant in manufacturing engineering and welding engineering and inspection.  I publish and provide presentations in the areas of manufacturing, robotics, and welding. I am a graduate of the Illinois Scholars program and a Certified Manufacturing Engineer and Certified Welding Inspector.

Involved with NSF ATE for 10 years, as PI leading two engineering technology projects, Co-PI for the MPEC regional center, and participating in proposal review panels. I held administrative positions as academic Dean and Department Chair for engineering and information technology with Baker College for 15 years, focusing on curriculum development and program assessment and evaluation. As a faculty member I taught a variety of science, engineering, and technology courses. Previously I was a research and development engineer in the telecommunications industry. I hold BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest and a PhD in physics from the University of Toledo. I am a member of ASEE, a senior member of IEEE and Optica, an author of a textbook targeting technician education, and an inventor with several patents.

Principal Investigator for a third NSF ATE project entitled Skilled Workers Get Jobs 2.1: High School Engagement. Since 1992 I have taught all aspects of computer technologies at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, first as an adjunct instructor, now as a full-time instructor and former department chairperson. I am a first-generation, non-traditional college graduate. After a divorce I completed both a bachelor’s (UNC-Asheville) and master’s (Western Carolina University) degree. Engaging students is not only a living, it is my passion. I am a huge Disney fan. My husband, Vernon, and I also like to take advantage of the outdoor hiking opportunities in Western North Carolina.

Director of Grants, Green River College, Auburn, Washington since 2013. I have contributed to multiple ATE grant proposals, as well as advised ATE PIs and Co-PIs on grant-related matters. From 2000 to 2013, I conducted fundraising, planned events, and managed volunteers for Green River College and community-based nonprofit organizations in Washington State. I volunteer for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s Federal Funding Task Force and currently serve on its Federal Agency Liaison Committee. I hold a Master’s degree in Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University and a certificate in Advanced Fundraising Management from the University of Washington. I met my wife Joni while we served as U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in Mongolia. Our favorite activities are backpacking, mountain climbing, and skiing with our teenage daughter.

Associate Professor of Biology at Waubonsee Community College. I have served as a Co- PI on an NSF ATE grant developing classroom-based undergraduate experiences, while contributing to the Journal of Advanced Technological Education (J-ATE) Connect Pilot Program 2022 as a writing coach and mentor for J-ATE Undergraduate Research Experiences in 2023. I recently received two awards: the 2023 Waubonsee Faculty Member of the Year for teaching excellence and the 2023 Two-Year College Biology Teaching Award, sponsored by the National Association of Biology Teachers. My students have published in J-ATE and won top honors at the 2023 InFLOW Program at the Illinois Water Professionals Conference. My ancestral roots extend throughout Southeast Asia and my work in Borneo deepened my interest in antibiotics and ethnopharmacology.