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About

Background | People | Steering Committee | Contact

Background

Research shows that science and problem solving are most effective when addressed by diverse teams: broad perspectives, backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities bring innovation and new solutions to the world’s most challenging and complex problems. However, historically, STEM fields have lacked diversity, excluding the full participation of individuals from marginalized groups. Intentional institutional action and change is needed to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in STEM education.

The STEM Training and Education Project (STEP) was created in 2023 to support the various programs across the College of Arts and Science that are working to advance the success of all students in STEM. By sharing best practices, research, evaluation and assessment techniques, and grant support, these individual programs strengthen one another and advance their respective missions. These programs implemented across the College of Arts and Science benefit all students taking STEM courses, helping them to succeed here at Vanderbilt and encouraging them to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

People

STEP Leadership

Doug McMahon, Director
Stevenson Professor of Biological Sciences
Director of Program in Neuroscience
Email

 

 

Paul Durst, Associate Director
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biological Sciences
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Communication of Science and Technology
Email

 

 

Program Directors

Learning Assistants/Course Assistants

Sabriya Rosemond, Director of Learning Assistants Program
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biological Sciences

 

 

Alice Mark, Director of Course Assistants Program in Mathematics
Senior Lecturer of Mathematics

 

 

Adriane Seiffert, Director of Learning Assistants Program in Psychology
Principal Senior Lecturer and Research Assistant Professor of Psychology

 

 

MARC START

Paul Durst
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biological Sciences
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Communication of Science and Technology

 

 

Kathy Friedman
Professor of Biological Sciences

 

 

Doug McMahon
Stevenson Professor of Biological Sciences
Director of Program in Neuroscience

 

 


HHMI IE3

Kathy Friedman
Professor of Biological Sciences

 

 

 

Cynthia Brame
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biological Sciences

 

 

 


HHMI Driving Change

Doug McMahon, STEP Director
Stevenson Professor of Biological Sciences
Director of Program in Neuroscience

 

 

Staff

Rebecca Snyder, Program Coordinator

Steering Committee

Cynthia Brame, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biological Sciences

Melissa Gresalfi, Professor of Teaching and Learning

Sabriya Rosemond, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biological Sciences, Director of Learning Assistants Program

Adriane Seiffert, Principal Senior Lecturer and Research Assistant Professor of Psychology

Tara Todd, Principal Senior Lecturer of Chemistry

Julia Velkovska, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Physics, Chair of Department of Physics & Astronomy

Julianne Vernon, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Contact

For more information about STEP, please contact Paul Durst, STEP associate director.

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