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.