BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Ms. Caroline Kennedy (District 8, West)
A faculty member in the biology department at UNC Asheville. She teaches non-majors' Introductory Biology lecture and lab as well as Ecology and Evolution, Zoology, and Cell and Molecular labs. She is currently collaborating with her departmental colleagues on research investigating the community structure within pitcher plants and the consequences of pitcher plant hybridization. She has a BS in Environmental Studies from UNC Asheville and a MS in Biology from Southeastern Louisiana University where she studied herpetology and conservation biology.
Ms. Jennifer Williams (District 9)
Ms. Williams received her B.S. in Science Education from North Carolina State University and her M.S. in Marine Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she studied natural products from Marine Microorganisms. For many years she served as a science instructional leader and taught chemistry, physics and the TIME science research course at Brevard High School in Transylvania County Schools. Students in the TIME program are supported as they conduct authentic science research into questions of their own choosing and present their work to the community. In 2007, Williams co-founded the TIME program and continues to serve as a co-director, mentor and facilitator. In 2021 Ms. Williams joined NCSSM as Chair of Science at its Morganton campus.
Becca Hale (District 8, West)
Dr. Hale is a zoologist at University of North Carolina Asheville where she is an Associate Professor of Biology. She teaches courses in evolution, ecology and evolution, experimental design as well as in zoology and animal behavior. In her research work at UNC-A she has supported the research of undergraduate students, with some of their work leading to publication in research journals.
Mr. Ravi Sharma (District 1 and 2, East)
Mr. Sharma has taught physics and mathematics at Craven Community College, New Bern, NC since 2006. Previously, he taught high school mathematics for two years in Lenoir County Schools before joining the staff at Craven. Prior to his emigrating to the United States in 2001, he taught physics and mathematics for six years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and physics and mathematics in various locations in India for the past thirty years. He was selected as the principal of M.M. Higher Secondary School, Rajkot, in India in 1988, where he served for 12 years. He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Meerut University in 1968, followed by a bachelor of education in science and mathematics from Delhi University in 1973, with master’s degrees in Physics and Education from Meerut University and Saurashta University in 1971 and 189 respectively. After emigrating to the U.S., he did graduate in mathematics education at East Carolina University in 2005. While at Craven Community College, he has participated in workshops on digital video analysis, and has performed research studies in applications to physics and mathematics instruction.
Ms. Jennifer Walmsley (District 1 and 2, East)
Ms Walmsley graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in middle grades education, specializing in science and social studies. This will be her eighteenth year of teaching and a reunion for working with HJ MacDonald. For the past ten years she has been working with schools to earn their NC STEM School certification and she is excited to bring that knowledge back to Craven County. In 2015 she was awarded a Kenan Fellowship where she worked closely with a cohort of elite educators to develop STEM curriculum for teachers to use in their classrooms. She has been working with Kenan Fellows in the summer months, along with the A+ Schools Program and the Wilson Whirligig Park to train elementary teachers on how to design their own STEM curriculums to integrate art and the Whirligig Park into their classrooms. Her teaching philosophy focuses on STEM integration and bringing the community and real world problem solving into the classroom.
Ms. Dorcas Green (District 1 and 2, East)
Ms. Dorcas Green, received her BS degree from NC Agricultural and Technical (NCA&T) State University and she received both masters and Advanced Studies (ED.S) degrees in Science Education from ECU with a concentration in Curriculum Development. She currently serves as a biology interventionist at Kinston High School where she tutors biology students. She served as an instructional coach with Bridgewood Educational Services for the past 12 years. She taught biology including International Baccalaureate biology in Lenoir County Public Schools (LCPS) while serving as a clinical teacher for East Carolina University (ECU). She facilitated the NC Model Teacher Education Consortium (NCMTEC) Biology Praxis II seminars and led Glencoe McGraw-Hill’s NC team and co-authored the textbook, Biology: Dynamics of Life 2000 NC Wrap-around Edition. She facilitated a science camp at The College of William and Mary, VA, 2014. She received National Boards Certification in 2000, and a two-year Howard Hughes Research Grant Fellowship at Duke University in biotechnology.
Ms. Aticila Mormando (District 3
Ms. Mormando received her Master’s Degree in Education focusing in Physical Sciences from Xavier University and another Master’s Degree in Science Education from East Carolina University. She received her Academically and Intellectually Gifted certification from University of North Carolina. She was a Kenan Fellow through NC State University’s Kenan Fellows Program. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and works with Pearson/National Board as science assessor.
She grew up in the Philippines. She taught science and research at the Philippine Regional Science School. She moved to North Carolina and continued her passion for science, technology and research. She helped establish the Hoke County Schools STEM Academy and the Science and Engineering County Fair. She pioneered the Science and Engineering Club at Mills Park Middle School. She co-founded a family business using her expertise in food chemistry and research
Dr. Marisol Santisteban (District 4)
Dr. Santisteban is a Professor of Biology at UNC Pembroke and her research focuses on cellular biology. Dr. Santisteban has mentored many undergraduate research projects at UNC-P and received a large National Science Foundation grant for Creating Opportunities for Students in Science (COMPASS) Scholarship Program. She holds a PhD in Cellular Biology and Diploma of Advanced Studies from University of Grenoble in France, and a B.S. in Chemistry from University of Basque Country in Spain.
Ms. Stephanie Harrell (District 1 and 2, East)
With over two decades of dedicated experience in education, Stephanie currently serves as the STEM Coordinator for Lenoir County Public Schools. Before assuming this role, she served as the Digital Learning Specialist at North Lenoir High School, where she worked to integrate technology into the educational landscape. Stephanie's teaching expertise extends across a diverse range of subjects, including middle school math, science, CTE Technology and Engineering Design, and
high school coding, in both North Carolina and Florida. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from East Carolina University, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Teacher Leadership for School Improvement from the University of Florida, and a Doctor of Education from Gardner-Webb University. Passionate about facilitating students' discovery of connections between their interests and foundational concepts in math and science, Stephanie finds deep fulfillment in her work.
Ms. Alisa Wickliff (District 5 and 6)
The Assistant Director of the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology at UNC Charlotte. She has been involved in designing and implementing K-12 science teacher professional development for over 12 years. Alisa has taught elementary science methods at UNC Charlotte in the College of Education. Her work has included the design of 10-day science institutes including, groundwater, geographic information system, water quality, and field botany. She is a facilitator for GLOBE (Global Learning Observations to Benefit the Environment), Project WET, The Leopold Project, It’s Our Water, and other environmental education curricular programs. She has organized Advanced Placement Science Alliances for high school teachers and a Middle School Alliance for middle grade teachers to discuss science content and instructional strategies. She received her B.A. from Depauw University and her Masters of Science at Purdue University. Prior to her work in science education, she provided environmental regulatory and technical assistance educational outreach at Purdue University, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and as director of the Environmental Assistance Office for Small Business at UNC Charlotte.
Ms. Lori Tyler (District 7)
The director of the AppState Summer Ventures Program is Ms. Lori Tyler. Ms. Tyler has completed Ed.D. (Educational Leadership) coursework at Appalachian State University, Ph.D. coursework at Vanderbilt University in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in Mathematics Education. She holds academic degrees in mathematics and mathematics education from Elon College (NC Teaching Fellow) and Wake Forest University, has studied school administration, biostatistics and public health at UNC-Chapel Hill, and holds an Ed.S. degree in University Leadership & Higher Education from Appalachian State University
Mr. Coleman Bailey (District 7)
Mr. Bailey is the 2020 recipient of the North Carolina Science Math and Technology Center’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year award. A longtime chemistry educator in Avery County, he is assistant principal at Charles D Owen High School in Buncombe County. Mr. Bailey has helped mentor many student research projects as a science educator and expand student participation in research in the mountains. He's served in other roles with Army Education Outreach Program, UNC Charlotte STEM Center, and NC Science and Engineering Fair.
Mr. Chris Thomas (Director)
Mr. Thomas background includes online/distance education STEM education and outreach. He helped launch and grow NCSSM's Online Program, and created and developed online STEM courses in geology at Indiana University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) and NCSSM, and has worked with NCSSM's library and Mentorship and Research program to build curriculum and stronger pathways for students to engaged in mentored research. He currently teaches AP Seminar in NCSSM's open enrollment program and research communication seminars, and coaches student internships in its District C supported NCSSM Teamship program. More recently he taught/coached in NCSSM's Mentorship and Research program. He has a Masters in Geology from Vanderbilt University and a Masters in Technical and Scientific Communication from Miami University