Dr. Leslie Huling
Principal Investigator, Lead and Project DirectorDr. Kristina Henry Collins
Co-Principal Investigator & Senior AdvisorDr. John Beck
Senior AdvisorDr. John Beck is Distinguished Professor Emeritus, and serves as Senior Advisor with the NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative project. His research and writing interests include teacher education, instructional technology, and educational leadership.
Dr. Beck holds degrees from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (Ph.D./Ed.S./MAT), University of Washington – Seattle (B.S.), and Southwest Texas State (B.S.). He holds Texas educator credentials in High School Mathematics and Physics, Principal, and Superintendent.
Stacey Sanders
Budget and Finance CoordinatorStacey Sanders is the Budget and Finance Coordinator for the LBJ Institute for STEM Education & Research. She manages post-award administration, and provides project management support to grant funded programs. Her research and professional interests include higher education administration, inclusion in business practice, and organizational development.
Karen Fabac
Grant Specialist Operations ManagerMs. Fabac has 29 years of state service, currently as a grant specialist with the NASA STEM Engagement & Educator Professional Development Collaborative. Prior to transferring to Texas State University in 2004, Ms. Fabac worked with the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation as their continuing medical education (CME) program administrator.
Ms. Fabac holds a Bachelor’s degree and (CPM) designation both from Texas State University. She holds professional memberships with the American Academy of Certified Public Managers (AACPM), Texas Society of Certified Public Managers, and the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).
Dr. Virginia Resta
Evaluation SpecialistVirginia Resta, Ph.D., serves as an Evaluation Specialist for the MUREP Educator Institute (MEI) initiative at Texas State University. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Northeastern Oklahoma State University, a MA in Elementary Education and PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of New Mexico. Prior to her retirement, she served as Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Education and the Assistant Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas State University. Her research interest has focused on induction, mentoring, and retention of beginning teachers.
Janice Ellis
Grant Travel AssistantJanice Ellis spent several years as a bookkeeper and accounting clerk. Later receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art at the University of Texas and a Master of Science in Visualization Science (computer animation) at Texas A&M.
Janice taught animation in Houston and Phoenix then returned to Texas to help her son in his newly inherited business. She serves as the travel coordinator for the LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research.