Jami Eubanks, assistant director of STEM careers and outreach services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, is passionate about fostering opportunities for women in STEM. With a background in biology and information technology, her journey into science began in sixth grade, thanks to an inspiring teacher, Mrs. Lora Grosvold from Greenwood, Arkansas, who opened her eyes to the possibilities in STEM through hands-on experiences like science fairs and geological field trips.

鈥淪he made me believe in myself and see options for my future,鈥� Eubanks said. 鈥淚 was the first in my family to go to college, and breaking that generational gap was instrumental in shaping who I am today.鈥�

Eubanks has dedicated her career to STEM education, working in both secondary and post-secondary institutions for 16 years. She has seen firsthand the transformative power of mentorship and encouragement, particularly for young women in rural areas who may not have had many role models in science fields.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Eubanks and her colleagues work on multiple programs aimed at engaging young women in STEM. She and Thomas Wallace, coordinator of the Web Design and Development and Information Technology programs, lead the Windstream GIRLS Code summer camp, which introduces participants to coding and computer science concepts in a supportive environment.

Additionally, Eubanks and Wallace recently launched a Girls Who Code College Loop, a new student organization providing mentorship and networking opportunities for female college students pursuing STEM degrees.

The STEM Education Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will also host a Women in Tech Luncheon on March 7, featuring faculty, students, and industry professionals discussing their experiences in the field.

Beyond these initiatives, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock hosts a variety of STEM outreach events, including competitions such as Best Robotics, the Science Olympiad, and the Central Arkansas Regional Science Fair. These events bring students to campus, exposing them to the exciting possibilities in STEM fields.

鈥淩epresentation matters. When young girls see women leading in STEM fields, they realize they can do it too,鈥� Eubanks said. 鈥淭hrough outreach, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, we are breaking barriers and creating pathways for the next generation of female scientists and engineers.鈥�

For Eubanks, the mission extends beyond simply increasing numbers鈥攊t鈥檚 about fostering confidence and ambition in young women. She encourages aspiring female scientists to seek out inspiring mentors, just like Mrs. Grosvold was for her, and surround themselves with supportive networks.

鈥淔inding a female role model who has already broken through those barriers can be life-changing,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir experience and advice are invaluable.鈥�

As 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock continues to invest in STEM education and outreach, Eubanks remains dedicated to ensuring that all students鈥攅specially young women鈥攈ave the support and resources needed to succeed.

鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 feel like a job,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe I get to go out and share opportunities with kids. It鈥檚 especially important to reach those who just need someone to believe in them.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Celebrates Women in STEM on International Day of Women and Girls in Science appeared first on News.

鈥淚鈥檓 happy to join 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock at the DCSTEM College where people are trying to make a difference,鈥� Eubanks said. 鈥淚 am excited and eager to pick up where the people before me have left off and to keep growing opportunities for kids to get interested in STEM education.鈥�

In this role, Eubanks serves as the lead of the university鈥檚 STEM Education Center, which serves as a vehicle to coordinate and connect activities across the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus with partners in K-12 schools and others interested in STEM. The center hosts events like summer camps in robotics and coding, the Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Arkansas Regional Middle School Science Bowl, and Arkansas MathCounts.

The STEM Education Center was originally started with a grant from the National Science Foundation in 1993, followed by funding from the Arkansas Department of Education from 2006 to 2018. The center is now funded in collaboration with the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Donaghey College of STEM, Arkansas STRIVE, Arkansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching.

“Jami brings a wealth of knowledge from her many years of teaching at the high school level and her involvement with various STEM programs,鈥� said Dr. Anindya Ghosh, associate dean of the Donaghey College of STEM and professor of chemistry. 鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome her to our DCSTEM College. With her strong educational background and extensive experience, Jami is well-equipped to lead our STEM College’s outreach activities and career services while building a strong connection with the community.”

Prior to joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Eubanks taught a variety of science, computer science, and Project Lead the Way engineering courses. She also served as the CTE STEM program advisor for the Arkansas Department of Education.

Eubanks has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology from the University of Central Arkansas and is working on a master鈥檚 degree in information technology from Arkansas Tech University through the Computer Science and Computing Educator Academy. She is a first-generation college student and was selected for the 2024 Acxiom Diversity Scholarship.

Eubanks and her husband Aaron Blake Eubanks, a locomotive engineer with Union Pacific, live in Cabot.

The post Eubanks Joins 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as Head of STEM Education Center appeared first on News.