Stephanie joined the Institute in February 2012, and directs a broad spectrum of educational progams including K-12 STEM, graduate and undergraduate programs, high school and college internships, and ongoing instruction for educators. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science from Salem college in Winston-Salem, NC and a Master of Education degree from Averett University in Danville, both in biology. Most recently Stephanie was an Adjunct Instructor at Patrick Henry Community College in the areas of developmental mathematics and biology. Her previous experience includes instructing various science courses for grades six through twelve, and a position at Carlisle School in Martinsville, VA provided the opportunity to develop the curriculum for science courses at the secondary level.

Bruce joined the Institute in September of 2010 as Education and Outreach's GReEn Jobs Project Liaison. He brings education experience from Danville Public Schools where he taught Mathematics. Bruce holds a Dual Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Business Administration from The University of La Verne in California. He looks forward to designing the GReEn Jobs Project's new lab unit. With the success of this unit, Bruce hopes to encourage and motivate local students to achieve higher goals and achievements in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Bruce enjoys spending time working with videography, photography and woodworking.

Dana joined the Institute in August of 2010 and serves as a Program Coordinator for grades K-5. In this role, she prepares and implements educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming for youth and the teachers that educate them.  Dana facilitates the Institute’s STEM Summer Adventure programs, Southern Virginia Educators Development Institute (SEDI), in-school and out-of-school programs, and other community outreach efforts. Dana has over nine years of experience in education and extension as a teacher, 4-H agent, and program coordinator and enjoys facilitating new programs to meet the needs of the community. Dana graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Dairy Science and M.S. in Career and Technical Education and holds a Postgraduate Professional Teaching License.

Jessie joined the Institute in August 2012 and works to prepare and implement educational programming for children, grades 6-12, and the teachers that educate them.  Jessie facilitates the Institute’s STEM Summer Adventure programs, IALR field trips, professional development for teachers, and other community outreach efforts. Jessie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, with a marine science concentration, from Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL). Her previous experience includes numerous research opportunities, including with Sea Education Association’s SEA Semester and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. Immediately before joining the Institute she taught high school biology in Lynchburg, VA.

Tonya joined the Institute in September 2012 as the Education and Outreach department’s Lifelong Learning Coordinator. In this role, Tonya manages the high school and college internship programs under the vision that advancing one's knowledge and experience increases an individual’s ability to achieve greater success. She also develops unique learning opportunities and coordinates professional development programs for lifelong learners. Tonya earned a Bachelor’s degree in English/Communications from Greensboro College and a MBA and Global Management degree from the University of Phoenix. She possesses ten plus years of community relations and non-profit experience including career counseling, program development and project management. Tonya says that “having an opportunity to devise a strategy to create a unique learning environment for adult learners motivates her to continue encouraging adults that barriers are stumbling blocks to a successful future.”