CSUEB administrator recognized as trailblazer in STEM education

• July 2, 2013 5:00am

A Cal State East Bay scholar and a University corporate partner were both recognized with 2013 Women in STEM Awards issued by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (AD-15). The awards celebrate women trailblazers who have made significant contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

“The East Bay is home to many distinguished women who have shattered the glass ceiling in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math,” Skinner said. “The women and organizations honored are fueling new innovations and technologies that are changing our world for the better. Honoring these role models, we pave the way for many more women and girls to excel and change the faces of STEM.”

Director of Cal State East Bay’s Institute for STEM Education Stephanie Couch and Trina Ostrander, associate director of public policy and communications at Bayer HealthCare LLC, were honored for their work at CSUEB.

Couch led efforts to connect California’s classrooms to the digital age by developing a legislative agreement to build a telecommunications network providing high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity to more than 6,000 K-12 schools and 145 higher education campuses. Dr. Couch launched the California STEM Learning Network and currently leads the Gateways East Bay STEM Network in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to increase student success in STEM from cradle to career.

Ostrander was instrumental in Bayer’s support of Biotech Partners, a program that trains local low-income youth for technical positions in bioscience. Bayer provides paid internships to 23 high school and community college students each year, and has made a 30-year commitment to this model program. Ms. Ostrander also led the effort to secure funding for one of the region’s most exemplary STEM programs, the Cal State East Bay Institute for STEM Education.

Read Assemblymember Nancy Skinner Announces 2013 Women in STEM Awards

KL