EPNAC.com photo for 2022 ATE Principal Investigators’ Conference

Written By: Kathryn Marchocki

Mentor-Connect Co-Principal Investigator Pam Silvers moderated a student panel discussion at the 2022 ATE Principal Investigators’ Conference in Washington, D.C., on October 27.

The students, from left to right, are Cody Steffy of Columbus State Community College (Ohio); Samuel Ruiz of Forsyth Technical Community College (North Carolina), Holly Shafer of Mt. San Antonio College (California); and Mahoganie Wilson-Little of Manchester Community College (Connecticut).  Silvers, a computer technologies instructor at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (North Carolina), is standing at the far right.  

After asking the students about their experiences in programs enhanced with innovations supported by Advanced Technological Education program grants from the National Science Foundation, Silvers quizzed the students for their suggestions about community college professors should do to help students be as successful as possible. The four student panelists said instructors should be up to date on resources and opportunities available to them and should communicate and establish relationships with students.

An educator for nearly 30 years, Silvers said, “I’ve seen lives change for students. STEM gives students an affordable living.”

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) hosts the three-day meeting in partnership and with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF).  Several hundred educators – including Mentor-Connect leaders and former mentees that have been awarded ATE grants – ATE industry partners, and 42 students attended the three-day meeting.