Dr. Kimberlyn Gray travels across the state of West Virginia spreading interest in math and science. Gray brings engineering and science hands-on activities into middle and high schools. The aim is to grab students’ attention and open their eyes to the endless possibilities of a future in technology.
“My goal is not to recruit for WVU Tech. I’m recruiting for science, math, and engineering. So few students today consider a career in the sciences, and my aim is to change that,” commented Dr. Gray, WVU Tech Engineering and Science Freshman Advisor.
A recent addition to the WVU Tech faculty, she convinces talented students to participate in math, science, and robotic competitions hosted by the school. The culmination of these efforts is a weeklong summer camp.
Dr. Gray will direct Camp STEM, which brings high school students to Montgomery for a technological boot camp. Participants are immersed in math, computer programming, and robotics. However, Kimberlyn Gray’s activities are not limited to outreach.
As the WVU Tech Engineering and Science Freshman Advisor, Ms. Gray works with new engineering students to ensure they are adjusting to the fast pace and independence of college. She draws from a career as a biomedical instrumentation instructor, research fellow, and senior mentor.
According to Dr. Faris Malhas, Dean Dean of the Leonard C. Nelson School of Engineering and Sciences, “Kimberlyn plays a vital role for the future of this institution. WVU Tech has embraced a long-term recruiting strategy.”
“Our philosophy is simple. We want to increase interest in math, engineering, and science statewide, and once those students start to shop for colleges they will find one of the nation’s best engineering schools in their backyard. Once they are here Kimberlyn works with each student to increase retention,” added Malhas.
Dr. Gray has numerous presentations scheduled for the 2009 spring semester across the state. Educators interested in working with WVU Tech on this effort should contact her at: kimberlyn.gray@mail.wvu.edu.