Innovation Campus welcomes new director of K-12 programs
Pamela Gilchrist has joined the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus as the new director of K-12 Programs. Gilchrist is the former director of The Science House’s Anderson and Imhotep Academies at North Carolina State University. She brings 20 years of experience in developing multidisciplinary K-12 programs across the United States and within the public schools of North Carolina.
“The Innovation Campus is committed to inspiring young people to pursue their interests in STEM education,” said Lance Collins, vice president and executive director of the Innovation Campus. “Pamela is an excellent addition to our Innovation Campus team in Alexandria. Her leadership experience in K-12 matches up perfectly with our goals to connect with the community and energize students as they are introduced to technology. I am excited to see opportunities for students increase in the years ahead through our important partnership with the Alexandria City Public Schools.”
The programs Gilchrist directed at North Carolina State University were geared toward providing K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programming (STEM) for underrepresented and underserved populations. As director, she was responsible for the oversight, development, and evaluation of synchronous and asynchronous STEM programs for students, teachers, and parents across the state of North Carolina.
Gilchrist is an advocate for equity and has served as a leader in multiple organizations, including as past president of both the North Carolina Science Leadership Association and the North Carolina Science Fair Foundation. She has also served internationally as a science and technology educator in the United Kingdom.
As an award-winning leader recognized in the North Carolina triangle region, she has a guiding ethos of community, scholarship, and economic development, particularly for communities often underserved by and underrepresented in STEM careers. Gilchrist has developed and presented workshops across North and Central America, Europe, and east Asia. She also has numerous publications that inform research and practice communities.
Her research interests are in STEM programs, equity, teacher professional development, curriculum development, workforce development, adoption of innovations, and multidisciplinary partnerships. Gilchrist has also garnered numerous grants for her programs from public agencies such as the National Science Foundation and from private foundations totaling in the millions of dollars.
Gilchrist said she takes a personal interest in students’ future success in STEM and identifying strategic partnerships to facilitate these endeavors. She wants every child to have equitable access to quality STEM education regardless of their geographical location, gender, gender orientation, immigration status, race, or socioeconomic status.
Gilchrist holds a Ph.D. in educational research and policy analysis, an M.S. in instructional technology, and a B.S. in middle grades education.
