Jeff Jones, Dean of Career and Technical Education at Coconino Community College, was awarded STEM Community Leader of the Year by STEM City. Courtesy photo.
FLAGSTAFF — Virtual reality, 3-D printers, Raspberry Pis and Micro:bits.
His passion is getting people – young and not so young – interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Jeff Jones, longtime fixture at Coconino Community College, was awarded the honor of STEM Community Leader of the Year by STEM City during the eighth annual Flagstaff STEMmy Awards, which were held virtually on June 17. He was a co-winner of the award with Samantha Gorney from Lowell Observatory.
“It’s wonderful to be honored for doing something you love,” Jones said. “And thanks to all the opportunities in Flagstaff to get involved, whether it’s 3D printing, teaching summer classes, or mentoring students. I would encourage everyone to help Flagstaff become a better STEM community.”
Categories included STEM Student of the Year, STEM Teacher of the Year and STEM Community Leader of the Year. All award nominees were nominated by leaders in the community, by their colleagues and by students who have benefitted from their teaching, coaching and mentoring. A panel of nine judges from K-12 education, higher education, businesses and nonprofits selected this year’s winners.
According to information from the STEM City website, the organization “was born out of a shared community vision to recognize, celebrate and expand the tremendous human and capital assets in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that exist in Flagstaff.”
STEM City connects businesses, organization and resources to schools, students and families “to strengthen our education, economy and environment.”
Jones began his time with CCC in the late 1990s, teaching in the Computer Information Systems department. Throughout the years, he’s had various roles at the college, including faculty, director of the IT department and most recently as the dean of Career and Technical Education. Beginning this fall, he will be returning to what he loves best – teaching – and he’ll be heading up the new Cybersecurity program.
Dr. Nate Southerland, CCC Provost, said, “Jeff has been a major contributor to STEM education in our community. Not only has taught computer hardware and software skills for many years as a full-time faculty member at CCC, his great work with the summer computer coding camps has earned the respect of children, parents, and local employers and community members. Jeff has also been instrumental in facilitating and promoting high-quality programs and employer connections in both health and computer sciences as the Dean of Career and Technical Education for the past three years at Coconino Community College. We are grateful to have him as a member of the CCC team!”
Kimberly Batty-Herbert, Dean of Academic Affairs at CCC, said, “Flagstaff will be enriched from Jeff’s efforts for years to come, including fundraising to completely refurbish the Construction Technology labs and building a worker space at the Fourth Street Campus. I was delighted to hear that Jeff had received this recognition, he has been an outstanding and supportive colleague and friend!”
For more information about STEM City or to watch the STEMmy Awards, visit http://www.flagstaffstemcity.com. For more information about Coconino Community College, visit www.coconino.edu.