The South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership, organized by Oregon Tech, and a coalition of 15 school districts, six institutions of higher education, nine community-based organizations and 11 core business partners, has hired Melissa Dubois, as the STEM Hub Director. The Partnership formed to catalyze Oregon students to achieve STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) degrees and certificates, and reach Oregon’s education goals by increasing the access, excitement and engagement of students in STEM courses and experiential learning.

According to Craig Hudson, Senior Project Manager at Garmin AT and Co-Chair of the STEM Hub Executive Advisory Board, “We are fortunate to have Melissa Dubois join us to focus the Hub’s strategic work, and help more students access STEM experiences and STEM careers. Melissa will bring her strong background as a scientist, her professional experience working with STEM education, and her leadership skills to help us achieve our vision for STEM education in South Metro and in Oregon.”

Melissa Dubois has a Ph.D. in Microbiology from University of Wisconsin, and did a postdoctoral fellowship at OHSU’s Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute. Since 2011, she has been a key contributor in the development of the Portland Metro STEM Partnership, a sister Hub within Oregon’s state STEM Hub Network, helping with strategic direction, partner engagement activities and numerous philanthropic, academic, and corporate grants. Dr. Dubois has presented at national conferences on Collective Impact Partnerships and STEM Education.

“It is such an exciting time for STEM education in Oregon,” Melissa Dubois said. “It is inspiring to see K-12 schools, higher education, industry, and community partners overcoming traditional barriers and working together to engage students in authentic, meaningful STEM learning experiences. We’re collaborating in unprecedented ways to support students in acquiring the skills, attitudes, and knowledge they need to become engaged citizens, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners who are ready for Oregon’s STEM-driven workforce. I am thrilled to join this creative, committed team of partners to support student success in STEM in the South Metro-Salem region.”

Melissa will take over the leadership role of the South Metro-Salem (SMS) STEM Partnership, located at Oregon Tech, from Lita Colligan, Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations. Lita will continue her work with the SMS STEM Partnership, in collaboration with Melissa, focusing on fundraising, equity, and partnership development.
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About Oregon Tech
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is one of seven universities in the Oregon University System, and the only public institute of technology in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Tech provides degree programs in engineering and health technologies, management, communication, and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public, and international communities through hands-on learning. Oregon Tech has a full-service, residential campus in Klamath Falls and an urban, industry-focused campus in Wilsonville. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.

About the South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership
The SMS STEM Partnership is a collaborative of community leaders, representing 15 school districts, 6 higher education institutions, 11 industry partners and 9 community organizations, with the vision to catalyze Oregon students to achieve STEM degrees and certificates, and reach Oregon’s education goals by increasing the access, excitement and engagement of students in STEM courses and experiential learning. For more information, contact Lita Colligan at lita.colligan@oit.edu or www.oit.edu/stem or www.stemoregon.org.

Portland-Metro
Klamath Falls