About M-C Mentors

Mentor-Connect Mentors give back to the ATE Program by working with prospective grantees to transfer knowledge and teach successful grant-writing strategies as they mentor and develop the next generation Principal Investigators for the ATE Program.

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Mentor Spotlight

Sheela Vemu

Background Information

Relevant Current/Past Position:
Associate Professor of Biology & Founding Chair, Biology Department, Waubonsee Community College

Years Working in Area:
13+ years in biology education at Waubonsee Community College; doctoral and research training in Pharmacology and Microbiology

Area of Expertise:
Biology education research (BER), evidence-based teaching and mentoring practices, microbiology/physiology curriculum design, and technician education/workforce development

Years Involved in ATE:
6+ years. Mentor Team Leads for AACC/NSF Mentor Links (2020–2023) and PI/Co-PI on NSF ATE grants since 2020, including projects in antibody bioengineering CUREs and water/wastewater workforce pathways.

Years as a Mentor:
3+ years

Getting to Know You

Hobbies:
Traveling to national parks, strength training, and walking meditations.

Fun Fact:
I grew up near the Indian Ocean and enjoy tracing the history of South Asian colloquial words and phrases—exploring how they travel, evolve, and connect cultures across regions.

Three Words Colleagues and Friends Would Use to Describe Me:
Dedicated, collaborative, curious

Why did you decide to be a mentor? Why do you continue?

As a graduate student navigating a new academic culture, I experienced firsthand how a mentor’s listening, empathy, and encouragement can shape a person’s confidence and career path. That experience influences how I work with students and colleagues today. I want people to see learning and leadership as skills that can be developed, not innate talents.

I continue mentoring because I see its ripple effects. When people gain confidence, they often go on to support others. I also continue because I am still learning myself. Seeking mentors and learning from others has been one of the most rewarding parts of my professional journey.

People say that ATE is a community – would you agree with that statement? Can you give a few examples of how the community has benefited you?

Absolutely. Some of my strongest professional relationships and most transformative opportunities have come through ATE-connected networks. I have had the opportunity to be paired with experienced mentor colleges, which has helped me learn how to build technician-training programs from the ground up. Other ATE consortium networks connected me with collaborators to develop open educational resources, and J-ATE Connect provided opportunities to coach faculty-student teams as first-time published authors.

Those relationships have led to co-authored publications, conference presentations, workshops, and a nationwide network of colleagues I can call on for advice and collaboration. The ATE community has consistently demonstrated the power of shared learning and collective support.

What is the one piece of advice you would give someone writing a proposal for the first time?

Build your leadership team before you build your budget.

Take time to develop strong partnerships and use resources such as Mentor-Connect to stress-test your project logic, workforce alignment, and evaluation plans early. A successful proposal is not only about having a great idea—it’s about showing that the right people, partnerships, and processes are in place to achieve meaningful impact.

Can you think of a time when a college had their proposal declined – if so can you think of something they could have done that would have strengthened their proposal?

I have seen proposals declined when they presented a compelling idea for a single institution but did not clearly articulate the broader impact. Strong proposals make a convincing case for why the work matters and how it contributes to the broader technician education community, workforce needs, or the evidence base.

Mentors are busy people – who frequently teach, serve as PIs or Co-PIs, and/or mentoring. What is one tip you could give to make sure something doesn’t fall between the cracks?

Create structures for accountability.

Put key tasks and deliverables on a shared calendar with built-in lead times, establish regular check-ins, and rely on your co-PIs and mentoring network rather than trying to do everything yourself. When a team is regularly supporting and tracking progress together, fewer things fall through the cracks.

2026 Mentors

Mentor-Connect Mentors give back to the ATE Program by transferring knowledge and helping to develop the next generation of STEM faculty leaders for the ATE Program.

2026 Mentor Fellows

Mentor Fellows shadow master Mentors to develop the knowledge, skills, and experience to transition into a Mentor role for the Mentor-Connect Project.

Current Mentors

Osa Brand

Retired from the National Council for Geographic Education, where I served as Director of Project Development. Prior to that I was the Educational Affairs Director for the Association of American Geographers. In both roles I wrote grant proposals and managed funded projects, most recently as the PI of two ATE projects that provided professional development and instructional resources for community college faculty who teach geospatial technologies. In an earlier life I was a faculty member at George Mason University in Virginia. I also taught courses at Montgomery College in Maryland, where I developed a lasting appreciation for the role of community colleges in higher education. I have a PhD in geography from Columbia University.

Mel Cossette

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.

Jim Crowder

Dean of the School of STEM and Professor of Biology at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. I serve as Co-PI on an NSF-ATE funded project that involves infusing electric vehicle (EV) principles into our existing automotive curricula and creating a stackable EV credential for incumbent professionals. I am also PI on an NIH Bridges grant creating a workforce pathway in biomedical science. I’m additionally in the process of putting together another NSF-ATE project proposal as well as an NSF S-STEM proposal. I have a BS in Biology from Ursinus College, an MS in Biology from Rutgers University, and a Doctorate in Education from Rowan University.

Cynthia Grove

Adjunct Instructor in Information Systems at Phillips Community College, University of Arkansas; MeD, CISSP. During my tenure at PCCUA, I helped establish a Cybersecurity degree program after extensive training with the Cyber Security Education Consortium. I also served as PI for the Arkansas Delta Information Systems and Cyber (DISC) project, funded by NSF. More recently, I have collaborated with Dr. Elizabeth Hawthorne as a mentor coach for the ATE funded FORRCE project. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my career is witnessing students develop the skills and confidence needed to excel in IT. Outside of work, I enjoy camping, sewing, and immersing myself in science fiction literature.

Christine Delahanty

Mentor Fellow in 2022, currently President of Crossing Education and Grants, and a former NSF Program Officer in the Division of Undergraduate Education. At my community college, I developed technician education programs with ATE grants and advised two student teams that made the final round of the AACC CCIC. My research involves creative self-efficacy and women in engineering. Prior to teaching, I was an engineer at GE Aerospace. I have a BS in physics from Villanova, an MS in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and an EdD in Educational Leadership from Drexel. I have three wonderful daughters and regularly babysit their five cats. My husband Fran and I enjoy traveling, hiking, and dancing.

Sharon Gusky

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.

Vicki Jeppesen

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.

Ann Johnson

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.

Josh Labrie

Director of Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) STEM program NOVA SySTEMic. I earned a BS in Chemistry and a Master’s in Teaching at the University of Virginia and started my career as a secondary teacher. In 2012 I joined NOVA with responsibilities for STEM Outreach and Perkins Management. I have developed and managed grant awards from the Department of Labor, National Science Foundation, and private awards supporting STEM and CTE pathways in the region. I live in Reva, VA with my wife and the youngest of 4 children.

Doug Laven

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.

Louis McIntyre

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.

Carla McMullen

Senior Director of Grants Compliance at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC. I oversee all college grant teams with a portfolio of 60-80 projects and develop/revise standardized procedures to ensure grants compliance. I have experience in proposal development for federal magnet grants and served as a reviewer for charter school grants for the Florida Department of Education. I have 26 years of experience developing and administering sponsored projects, including seven NSF ATE projects. My husband, youngest daughter and I moved to Clayton, NC in 2018 when I accepted my dream job with Wake Tech. Our oldest daughter and two grandsons joined us in 2019. We enjoy spending time together and exploring NC.

Anca Sala

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.

Matthew Swenson

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.

Sheela Vemu

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.

Special Mentors

Diane Dostie

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.

Jim Hyder

James (Jim) Hyder is currently an Instructional Designer, Adjunct Instructor in Rio Salado’s Nanotechnology program, and the Lead Adjunct Instructor for Rio Salado’s STEM Initiatives Department.  Jim has been awarded the “Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award – Outstanding Contributions to Assessment of Student Learning” for 2017 and for 2021. Jim recently completed work for North Central State College (Mansfield, Ohio) as their Semiconductor Training and Education Program Manager/Instructional Designer and was a shared resource for the Ohio Association of Community Colleges where he was responsible for the creation of a One-Year Certificate in Semiconductor Fabrication under a grant from Intel.    Jim received his M.S. in Management in Science and Technology from the Oregon Health and Sciences University, 2002; is a graduate of the National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce’s (NCBW) Biotechnology Industry Fellowship Program; and has his B.S. in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University, in 2000. Jim most recently served as a Professional Consultant (Innovation Coach, Internal Evaluator and Industry Liaison) on the NSF funded Southwest Center for Microsystems Education Regional Center of Excellence and as an Internal Evaluator for the Digital Fab Learning Community (DFLC).

Brandon Keller

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.

Greg Kepner

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.

Shane Kirby

Director for Advancement Partnerships at Columbus State Community College in Ohio. I started in 2008 by creating the internship program in Business Engineering Technology before assuming leadership over the grants operation in 2013. My team and I have led the development of 20 funded NSF ATE grant awards. I serve as the Executive Director of the 10,000 Small Businesses Program, PI for the NSF EPIIC ETCHNING Cohort, Senior Advisor for the National IT Innovation Center (NITIC), and as the curriculum module developer on the Community College President’s Initiative (CCPI-STEM). I mentored in the Grant Seeker Academy and FORCEE-ATE programs. I earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Finance and Marketing and earned my MBA in Finance.

Ken Mays

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.

Rick Vaughn

Faculty Chair of STEM Initiatives at Rio Salado College in Arizona. I am the PI for the Supporting Micro and Nano Technicians through Hybrid Teaching Methods grant, and a Co-PI on the Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing for Veterans consortium project, both focused on advancing semiconductor manufacturing and micro/nano education – fostering collaboration among K-12, higher education, and industry partners in Arizona. I have over 25 years of teaching experience in higher education and have played a pivotal role in curricular development and alignment in technical education. I hold a Ph.D. in Mathematics and have been recognized as a finalist for the Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority Governor’s Innovation Award. My expertise includes program leadership, workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships.

Current Mentor Fellows

Trentee Bush

Agriculture, Horticulture, and Mathematics Instructor at Northeast Community College in Nebraska. I serve as the PI on the currently funded ATE project, Advancing Precision Agriculture in the Urban Environment, and have assisted with writing additional proposals. I have also served as a proposal review panelist. I hold BS and MS degrees in Horticulture and a PhD in Educational Administration, with 18 graduate hours of leadership and mathematics scattered in among other courses. I am addicted to global traveling and serve as a study abroad instructor of record for Northeast Community College on a regular basis.

Peter Kazarinoff

Full-time faculty member in Engineering at Portland Community College. I am a Co-PI for the national ATE Center for Micro Nano Technology (MNT-EC), the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Advanced Technological Education (J ATE), and the voice of the Talking Technicians and Biotech Beat podcasts. Outside of my NSF ATE grant work, I teach courses in Engineering, Materials Science, and Manufacturing. I am passionate about dissemination and open educational resources (OER). I live with two inquisitive daughters and a wonderful and supportive spouse in Portland, Oregon.

Jens-Uwe Kuhn

Faculty and Dean of Educational Programs at Santa Barbara City College, MentorLinks Mentor and Mentor-Connect Mentor Fellow. I currently serve as PI on two NSF ATE projects in micro/nanotechnologies and have served as PI or Co-PI on several other NSF projects, including S-STEM, LSAMP, HSI, and IUSE, and as Project Director on US Department of Education HSI-STEM projects. I collaborate with the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships and the California NanoSystems Institute on research and internship projects for community college students, have developed associated Mentor Training programs for graduate student and post-doc mentors, and serve as representative on several community college collaboratives and alliances in the region.

Laurie Miller-McNeill

Director of Institutional Advancement at SUNY Westchester Community College. I have 25+ years’ experience applying expertise in research, policy analysis, and organizational development to improve student outcomes, launch high impact programs and innovate in response to evolving student, community and workforce needs. I have secured millions of dollars in federal, state and foundation grants, including NSF ATE, IUSE and DRK-12 grants. I enjoy helping others envision new ways to help students learn. I oversee grants at our college and am passionate about helping grantees understand and operate within the accountability frameworks that come with grant success. I love morning runs, playing golf with my husband, and spending time with my children and their families.

Davina Pruitt-Mentle

Lead for Academic Engagement of NICE at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Before that, I was a senior researcher/policy analyst for Educational Technology Policy, Research and Outreach and Co-PI for the NSF supported National Cyberwatch Center. Prior to my NCC role, I served as faculty and Director of Educational Technology Outreach in the College of Education, University of Maryland, College Park. I have spent 20+ years conducting research on student and educator cyberawareness and developing programs to help increase the STEM and cybersecurity workforce pipeline. I received my Ph.D. in Educational Technology Policy from the University of Maryland, my M.Ed. from Lynchburg College, and my B.S. from Virginia Tech.

Daphne Lewis

Daphne Lewis is the Director of Institutional Grants at Johnston Community College (JCC) and has over 27 years of experience in community colleges, including 25 years in North Carolina through Foundation support and grants development at Forsyth Tech CC, Rowan-Cabarrus CC, and Johnston Community College (JCC). Working collaboratively with faculty and staff, she has helped secure more than $49.5 million in grant funding (not counting $14.2 million in HEERF funding), with $19.5 million of that raised at JCC. Before joining JCC in August 2017, Daphne served for two and a half years as an administrator at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, where she was part of the Grants Finance and Compliance team and served as fiscal lead for a statewide $19.7 million DOL TAACCCT grant. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and holds an M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).