Burnett Chosen to Guide STEM Collaborative

Arkansas Tech University alumna Sarah Burnett is the new director of the ATU Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Collaborative on the Russellville campus.

“We are pleased Sarah has accepted leadership of our STEM Education Collaborative,” said Dr. Phillip Bridgmon, interim vice president for academic affairs at ATU. “She has a great vision for developing STEM partnerships and a true passion for Arkansas Tech, the River Valley and STEM education within Arkansas.”

Burnett holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with an emphasis in management and marketing from ATU and a Master of Arts degree in teaching from the University of Central Arkansas.

She taught mathematics in the public schools at Perryville, Western Yell County and Danville before joining the staff of the ATU STEM Education Collaborative as a K-12 math specialist in 2014.

As director of the unit, Burnett will oversee a staff of two fellow professionals committed to serving as a resource for more than 40 school districts in west central Arkansas.

Previously known as the ATU STEM Institute, the ATU STEM Education Collaborative offers trainings for K-12 teachers and engages students in such projects as a STEM institute for girls and a statewide VEX robotics competition.

“In our transition to a collaborative, we will be working to help students become career ready by working with community members and local industries,” said Burnett.

Visit www.atu.edu/stem to learn more.