Enhancing STEM education: Western secures $230K grant to establish regional support hub as part of statewide network

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University has become the fiscal agent for MiSTEM Network Region 1, which strives to make STEM learning more accessible across the state and position more Michigan students for career success. The College of Education and Human Development will host the regional hub, which will be led by Lori E. Henrickson, director of Region 1. The hub is supported by a $230,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).

"It's a powerful endorsement of the University's ongoing efforts to provide educational access to every PK-12 student in our community," says Dr. Jessica Heybach, associate dean of research and graduate studies, College of Education and Human Development. "STEM has long played an important role in the College, so we are excited to share our expertise and facilitate MiSTEM in Southwest Michigan."

As one of 16 regional hubs focused on identifying and addressing STEM education needs across the state, Region 1 supports Southwest Michigan educational service agencies and intermediate school districts across Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and VanBuren counties.

WMU will be building upon previous work established by the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency to support and advance STEM education initiatives. Using the grant funds, the College will assemble a team to carry out existing and new efforts with stakeholders throughout the region, including math and science centers, career and technical education programs, early middle college programs, STEM events and organizations, and Project Lead the Way programs.

"We couldn't be more excited to have Lori joining the College of Education and Human Development. The team we are putting together, under her leadership, will be implementing the regional strategic plan that aligns with statewide strategy," explains Heybach. "They're also going to be identifying regional employer needs, creating guided pathways for STEM careers that are in high demand. We are ready for this opportunity and to make a difference in PK-12 education."

According to Megan Schrauben, MiSTEM executive director, MiSTEM regional directors play an essential role in preparing the next generation of innovators for high-wage, high-demand STEM careers.

"As the new Southwest Michigan director, Lori will coordinate efforts in our regional hub to advance the statewide PK-12 STEM strategy. Her extensive background in climate science education and curriculum development makes her uniquely qualified to help us continue building a strong STEM ecosystem in Michigan as we empower students for a bright future."

"I'm thrilled to return to Michigan and work with educators, industry leaders, and community partners to create meaningful STEM opportunities for students in Southwest Michigan," says Henrickson. "With my experience in curriculum development and interdisciplinary integration, I'm eager to strengthen pathways between K-12 and postsecondary education, helping students prepare for the high-demand careers of the future while addressing real-world challenges."

To learn more about the MiSTEM Network, visit their webpage.

About Lori Henrickson

Lori Henrickson last served as the Climate Science Integration Specialist for the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, leading the nation in PK-12 climate science integration across grade levels and content areas and wasthe first to hold a State Education Agency position explicitly focused on this critical topic. Her work included developing open education resources, planning interdisciplinary educator workshops, and collaborating with partners like the University of Washington, NOAA, and the Council of State Science Supervisors.

Previously, Henrickson served as Secondary Science Project Facilitator for Clark County School District in Las Vegas, where she developed three-dimensional curriculum materials aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and provided professional learning for teachers across the district. She also brings a decade of classroom experience as a middle school science teacher, instructing diverse learners including multilingual learners, special education students, and accelerated learners.

Henrickson earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Middle School Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with minors in Science and Mathematics Teaching from Western Michigan University.

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