Stephanie Couch, PhD was inducted into the Education Category in 2016.
Stephanie Couch is Executive Director of the groundbreaking Institute for STEM Education at Cal State East Bay and is a driving force in efforts to raise the level of education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math provided to youth across the region. The institute was created five years ago as a way to bring disparate forces together to meet the East Bay's urgent need for better science education and to promote STEM learning opportunities from "cradle to career" for area youth, families and educators. The Institute fosters partnerships between academic and industry leaders to recruit and prepare science and math teachers and to strengthen and expand local programs that have succeeded in inspiring students to prepare for careers in STEM-related fields. Stephanie also directs the Gateways East Bay STEM Network, a partnership of leading local institutions including Cal State East Bay and the Chabot Space and Science Center, which works to improve educational outcomes in STEM. Stephanie's success in strengthening public-private partnerships to improve STEM education and to implement successful programs has earned the Institute national and global recognition. It also has helped the Institute secure vital funding so that it can continue to promote top-quality STEM education across the East Bay.
