About QEM
About the QEM Network
The QEM Network was established in July 1990, as a non-profit organization in Washington, DC, dedicated to improving education throughout the nation. It is the successor organization to the MIT-based QEM Project that was funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. With initial support from Carnegie and MIT, QEM began its operation as a focal point for the implementation of strategies to help realize the vision and goals set forth in the QEM Project’s January 1990 report: “Education That Works.”
QEM seeks to put into practice the recommendations in the QEM Action Plan by working with individuals, organizations, and institutions around the country to help coordinate and energize efforts to improve the education of domestic talent, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Our Founder
Dr. Shirley Mathis McBay assumed the position of President of the QEM Network in July 1990 and retired in July 2016. Prior to QEM she spent ten years as Dean for Student Affairs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and three years as Director of the MIT-based QEM Project. Prior to serving in the MIT Administration, Dr. McBay served for five years as Program Manager/Director in the Science Education Directorate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and as a member of the faculty and administration at Spelman College in Atlanta over a fifteen-year period.
At NSF, Dr. McBay directed two national programs designed to increase minority participation in science and engineering. While at Spelman, she held various positions including Professor of Mathematics, Department Head, Division Chair, and Associate Academic Dean. At QEM, Dr. McBay has directed or provided leadership for numerous science and engineering-focused projects funded by major corporate or foundation philanthropic efforts as well as several federal agencies.
Our Team
Shaunette Bishop
Program and Communications Assistant
Branden Elmore, Ph.D.
Research Project Manager
Afzal Hassan
Staff Associate and Internship Coordinator
Taylor Lightner, Ph.D.
Research Associate and Program Coordinator
Sylvia Pu, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Nel Rodriguez Sepulveda
Research Associate
Marshella Toldson, Esq.
Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel
Tarina Whitfield
Research Associate and Senior Technical Assistance Coordinator
Our Team
Erin Lynch, Ph.D., EdD, CRA
President
Mercy Mugo, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Shaunette Bishop
Program and Communications Assistant
Branden Elmore, Ph.D.
Research Project Manager
Afzal Hassan
Staff Associate and Internship Coordinator
Taylor Lightner, Ph.D.
Research Associate and Program Coordinator
Sylvia Pu, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Nel Rodriguez Sepulveda
Research Associate
Marshella Toldson, Esq.
Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel
Tarina Whitfield
Research Associate and Senior Technical Assistance Coordinator
QEM Board Members
Charles Beady, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Mississippi Food Network
Mr. Davien Burnette, Chair
Accenture, LLP
Derik Coffey
Portfolio Specialist
Channing Capital Management
Dr. Fay Cobb Payton
Dr. Sherrie M. B. Green
Former Program Officer
National Science Foundation
Cynthia Overton
Director of Tech Workplace Initiatives
The Kapor Center
Ret. Lt. Col. Natasha Sunday Clarke
Dr. James Turner
Director
Percy Julian Institute, Daniel Alexander Payne Community Development Corporation
Dr. Bevlee Wofford
Support Our Cause
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