CCPI-STEM Welcomes its Third Cohort of Fellows
The fellowship is one of several initiatives of the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (CCPI-STEM) that aim to strengthen community college faculty and administrators and nurture their leadership skills in order to grow and diversify the STEM technician workforce.
All the individuals in this third cohort of CCPI-STEM Fellows are pursuing graduate degrees and conducting research related to STEM education and workforce development at community colleges. The seven Fellows are:
Amanda Colosimo, Monroe CC, Rochester, NY
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Amanda is a Professor of Geology at Monroe Community College (MCC) in Rochester, NY. She holds a B.A. and a M.S. degree in Geological Sciences from SUNY Geneseo and UNC Chapel Hill, respectively, and is working toward her doctoral degree in Educational Practice and Innovation, with a concentration in STEM Education, at the University of South Carolina.
During her tenure at MCC, Amanda was instrumental in the development of the only 2-year A.S. degree in Geology in the SUNY System. She has infused her courses, including Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Geology of the National Parks, and Field Studies in Geology, with active learning and high impact practices such as collaboration, field activities, and regular writing.
Amanda served for 1.5 years as the coordinator of MCC’s Teaching and Creativity Center. In this position, she led faculty inquiry groups, reflective practice groups, monthly conversations around teaching, and facilitated the two-year onboarding process for new teaching faculty. Additionally, she is a co-PI for an NSF Grant, The Geneseo Noyce Program for Supporting and Preparing Future STEM Teachers, a collaboration between MCC and SUNY Geneseo to encourage STEM students at both institutions to consider careers in STEM K-12 education.
A progressive educator, Amanda has regularly participated in offerings from Supporting the Advancement of Geoscience Education at 2-Year Colleges (SAGE2YC) and professional development surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Amanda’s preliminary classroom research indicates that equitable grading strategies, sometimes employed in the K-12 system, can also be instrumental in reducing racial equity gaps in course success rates in higher education. These exciting findings will be the focus of her dissertation.
Outside of teaching, Amanda loves traveling, cheering on her twin daughters as they pursue their own college dreams, and is unfailing in her support of the Buffalo Bills, regardless of how many times they break her heart.
“The professional development and mentorship provided by the CCPI- STEM Fellowship as I begin my graduate program is a gift! The leadership development, coupled with workforce strategies and financial support, will benefit me immeasurably as I begin down this new path in my career.”
Amanda Hanley, Cuyahoga CC, Cleveland, OH
Amanda Hanley is a first-generation college student and has earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics & Statistics (A.B.) and Integrated Mathematics Education (B.S.) from Miami University of Ohio. After a few years teaching high school math, she decided to earn her master’s degree in mathematics (M.A.) from Cleveland State University and joined the faculty at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics. During her tenure at TRI-C, Amanda has taught a wide variety of mathematics courses, served her department as both a campus coordinator and collegewide discipline counterparts chair, and has been actively involved in curriculum development and academic initiatives. She served in union and senate faculty leadership roles and participated in The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Leadership Development Program which identifies emerging institutional leaders to build relationships with and learn from their colleagues, and experience professional leadership growth. Amanda’s professional contributions have received recognition such as the Ralph M. Besse Award for teaching excellence, a as state of Ohio Innovator Award, and being congratulated as a YWCA Woman of Excellence.
Because of her steadfast belief in the value of an education, Amanda is enthusiastic about teaching. She dedicates herself wholeheartedly to developing high-quality instructional resources and continually explores best practices in both face-to-face and virtual classrooms. She enjoys mentoring new faculty and facilitating faculty development training cohorts for ACUE (Association of College and University Professors). Amanda is pursuing a doctorate in Interprofessional Leadership from Kent State University and plans to expand upon her current research on the effectiveness of guided notes in an online platform by exploring course design and curriculum to meet the needs of the local workforce for her dissertation.
Outside of the classroom, Amanda is a dedicated volunteer at her local animal shelter (Berea Animal Rescue) as well as Playhouse Square, one of the nation’s largest performing arts districts outside of New York City. In her free time, she enjoys attending her weekly church service, refinishing furniture, watching Jeopardy, and spending time with her nieces and nephew in Virginia. She is so excited and grateful to have been selected as a CCPI-STEM Fellow and looks forward to all the experiences this wonderful opportunity will provide.
“Being selected as CCPI-STEM Fellow is a tremendous honor and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this cohort. This fellowship not only affirms my commitment to education but provides support as I explore how STEM leadership can have a lasting, positive impact on our communities.”
Danny Darden, Kilgore CC, Kilgore, TX
Danny Darden serves as associate professor of Computer and Information Technology at Kilgore College, teaching operating system, cybersecurity, and networking courses to AAS workforce students. His desire is to help his students stay successful in the workplace and to always challenge them to prepare for the career that they desire. His current research, as a doctoral student in Human Resource Development (HRD) at the University of Texas at Tyler, focuses on understanding the effectiveness of business industry leadership teams (BILT) in workforce development programs, examining BILT as a catalyst for organizational learning and change.
In 2024, Kilgore College received its first National Science Foundation Advanced Technical Education (ATE) grant, with Danny serving as the co-principal investigator on the “Reducing Barriers to IT Technician Education” project. The goal of this project is to boost the number of skilled technicians joining the workforce, evaluate and cultivate industry partnerships, improve technical curriculum alignment, and introduce student-to-student support services. Danny is very excited about the ATE program and its impact on rural community colleges as they prepare for the future. Danny holds a Master of Business Administration from LeTourneau University, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Leadership Development from Texas A&M University, and an Associate of Science from Kilgore College.
Danny is an active member of the Academy of Human Resources Development. He has been a member of the American Registry for Internet Numbers, the Association for Computing Machinery, and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Danny’s recent appointment to the economic development board in Gladewater, Texas sparked his interest in enhancing technology capabilities in the broader East Texas region. As an HRD scholar and workforce development practitioner, learning about regional economic development completes his professional trifecta. He is not always serious—in between reading HRD articles, he indulges in reading Internet engineering documents at bedtime, dreaming of late-night karaoke sessions and international cruise ship destinations, which he hopes to explore once his dissertation is completed.
“I enrolled in my doctoral program as an act of faith to honor God and my late grandmother, who passed away on the same day I received my acceptance letter. I have only been in the program for a little over a year and have consistently received confirmation that I am on the right path. My selection as a CCPI-STEM Fellow serves as further evidence, as it will allow me to receive powerful mentorship as well as provide critical financial support through my dissertation process.”
Elizabeth Gonzalez, South Texas College, McAllen, TX
Elizabeth Gonzalez serves as Biology Faculty and Lead Microbiology Instructor at South Texas College. Prior to her position as Biology Faculty at South Texas College, she taught high school dual enrollment Biology. Through partnership with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Elizabeth also teaches with the Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program, where students are immersed in undergraduate research. She is involved with grant writing in her department and is actively working on the goal of expanding the HHMI SEA-PHAGES program to other South Texas College campuses. Additionally, she wants to continue creating relationships and partnerships with nearby agencies to get students experience in their field of study that will prepare them for graduate research or a professional career.
Elizabeth has a Bachelors in environmental science, a second Bachelors in Sociology, and a Masters in Biology from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Her second Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies was earned at Texas Tech University. She currently is working towards a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with specialization in Higher Education Administration at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Elizabeth also has a real passion for the unique biodiversity found in her home of the Rio Grande Valley. Her research on the federally endangered plant species, Asclepias prostrata, has been referenced by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). On her spare time, you can find Elizabeth in Starr County where her family is from or serving the City of Edinburg as a contributing member of the Neighborhoods/Parks/Green Spaces/Beautification Committee.
“As a newly selected CCPI-STEM fellow from South Texas College, I am truly excited to get to learn from other like-minded professionals that are continuously working towards providing students with research opportunities and quality education. Being part of a community that prioritizes access to STEM education is an incredible opportunity that will help me implement innovative approaches within my institution.”
Qurat-ul-Ann Mirza, Rowan Community College of Burlington, NJ
Anna Mirza is a Physics Instructor and Chair of the Physics Program at Rowan College at Burlington County in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Originally from Pakistan, Anna moved to the United States in 2002, overcoming cultural and familial challenges that initially limited her educational opportunities. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (now Indiana University Indianapolis) and a Master’s degree in Physics from Purdue University, West Lafayette.
Since relocating to New Jersey from Indianapolis, Anna has taught physics at several institutions across the state. In her current full-time role, she is dedicated to incorporating research-based, innovative teaching methods, including a flipped classroom model in her general physics course. Her current research explores integrating artificial intelligence into the classroom to enhance learning outcomes.
Committed to furthering her academic journey, Anna plans to re-enroll at Purdue University in the PhD program in January 2025, with aspirations to advance both her teaching and research within the field of physics education.
“Being chosen as a CCPI-STEM Fellow is deeply meaningful to me, as it represents an invaluable opportunity to develop my leadership skills and broaden my impact in diversifying the STEM workforce.”