Our Staff

Dr. Carol O'Donnell
Douglas M. Lapp and Anne B. Keiser Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center

Tel: 202-633-2972
EmailScienceEducation@si.edu

Dr. Carol O’Donnell is the Douglas M. Lapp and Anne B. Keiser Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), an education organization of the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to transforming K-12 Education through Science in collaboration with communities across the globe. Carol is responsible for all operational activities and planning for the organization, including building awareness for Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) science education reform; conducting programs that support the professional growth of K–12 teachers and school leaders; and, overseeing all research and curriculum development, philanthropic development, and administration.

In her role as the Lapp-Keiser Director, Carol serves as the U.S. representative on the Global Council of the InterAcademy Partnership Science Education Programme, an appointment by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which jointly founded the SSEC in collaboration with the Smithsonian. Carol serves on the United Nations Broadband Commission on Sustainable Development Working Group on School Connectivity. She also represents the Smithsonian on the Subcommittee on Federal Coordination in STEM Education (FC-STEM), which advises and assists the Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM) of the Office of Science and Technology Policy of the Executive Office of the President. In her role on the Program Committee for the International Dialogue on STEM Education, Carol co-authored the position paper on “STEM Education for Sustainable Development”. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Carol was a group leader at the US Department of Education (ED), supporting States’ and districts’ implementation of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) programs. She also oversaw the Cognition and Student Learning research grant program of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research arm of the ED.

Carol is the winner of the 2008 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Graduate Research Excellence Award; 2021 National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity “Unsung Hero Award;” and the 2018 University of Pittsburgh Distinguished Alumni Award. O’Donnell’s team at SSEC was honored to receive the 2018 Smithsonian Innovation in Education Award and the 2024 One Smithsonian Education Award for their work on the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project.

A former elementary science teacher and curriculum developer, Dr. O’Donnell served for 15 years on the part-time faculty of the Physics Department at The George Washington University, where she earned her doctorate. She earned her Executive Education certificate in nonprofit management from the Harvard Business School. Her TedX talk “The Power of Physical Stuff in a Digital World” demonstrates her passion for integrating digital and physical interactions in science classrooms.

Read about our Director on the Director's Page.

Amy D'Amico, PhD
Division Director of Professional Services

Amy D’Amico, PhD, joined the SSEC in 2013 as the Division Director of Professional Services. She oversees professional development and leadership development initiatives at SSEC. Prior to joining the SSEC, Amy was a member of the faculty in the biology department at Georgetown University. At Georgetown, she taught a variety of biology courses and co-directed the RISE & Teach program for biology undergraduates who complete a thesis while teaching in the District of Columbia Public Schools. In addition, Amy served as a consultant at the SSEC to assist in the program development and execution of the K-12 Science Education Institutes for Leadership Development and Strategic Planning.

Amy has over two decades of experience as an educator that began by teaching middle school for the Cambridge Public Schools in Massachusetts. Amy quickly became a Middle Grade Science Teacher Leader and worked to implement the district’s five-year strategic plan based on the SSEC’s model of science education reform. While in Cambridge, she also worked on various educational and consulting projects with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and the American Museum of Natural History. Amy earned her BA in Biology with a minor in Education for Certification from New York University and received a MS and a PhD in Biology from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Brian Mandell, PhD
Division Director of Curriculum, Digital Media, & Communications

Brian Mandell, PhD, is the Division Director of Curriculum and Communications for the SSEC. In this role, he provides support and direction for the talented Curriculum and Communication staff in the development of world-class print and digital curricular resources. This work includes our new curriculum, Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, which embeds objects and research from the Smithsonian Institution, is built to current science standards, asks students to design solutions to real-world problems, provides research-based support for common student misconceptions, and seamlessly integrates print and digital resources.

Brian joined the SSEC in 2014 as a Science Curriculum Developer, where he was responsible for developing print and digital curricular materials that were grounded in current scientific, educational and cognitive research, empowered teachers, and helped all students develop a deep understanding of science and engineering practices.

Prior to joining SSEC, Brian taught middle school science for 13 years in Virginia and Maine. In his free time, he is an adjunct professor at George Mason University teaching classes that focus on curriculum and instruction, learning theory, and instructional design. Brian earned his PhD in Educational Psychology with a secondary emphasis in Instructional Design from George Mason University in 2013. Brian also has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine.

Lisa Rogers
Division Director of Finance & Administration

Lisa Rogers is the Division Director of Finance & Administration for the SSEC. Lisa is responsible for the financial and administrative operations and financial compliance for the organization. Before assuming this position, she was the Program Specialist for the SSEC’s Professional Development Center. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in finance, grants administration, program management, and development. Prior to joining the SSEC, Lisa was the Program and Grants Administrator for the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, a Development Officer with the Navy League of United States, and worked with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of the American Indian, and the Smithsonian Associates. Lisa holds a BA in History from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and studied at the American University of Rome. She has been an adult literacy tutor and received her certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Holly Bichlee Glover
Division Director of Advancement and Partnerships

Holly is the Division Director of Advancement and Partnerships, where she leads partnership efforts between SSEC and its donors and funders. Holly believes firmly that it will take a diverse coalition of stakeholders to achieve educational equity, and she strives to create and foster meaningful partnerships to make a transformational impact on student learning.

Holly has over a decade of experience fundraising in support of educational equity and excellence. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Holly led Institutional Giving for Teach For America – Bay Area, where she raised $6M annually from Silicon Valley funders. She has raised multi-year, 6 and 7 figure grants in support of teacher recruitment, preparation, support, and retention by building authentic relationships, connecting supporters to a compelling vision, and using data to drive improvement. In addition to her experience at TFA, Holly co-founded Alpha Public Schools, a network of college prep, blended learning public charter schools, serving at-risk students in East San José, CA. At Alpha, Holly built and managed all non-academic functions of the organization – including raising $1M from public and private institutions and individuals in support of the school launch. Alpha’s flagship school is a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Next Generation Learning Challenges Grantee, and has been recognized as a Top School for Low-Income Latinx & Black Students in the Bay Area by Innovate Public Schools. Holly holds a BA in American Studies from UCLA, and Master’s Degree in Education Policy and Leadership from Stanford University.

Addy Allred
Program Specialist

Addy Allred is a Program Specialist with the SSEC. She started as an intern with the SSEC Professional Services Division in 2015 and it spurred her career in service, STEM, and education. After graduating from Guilford College with a bachelors in geology and environmental studies, Addy spent a year in AmeriCorps and FEMA Corps responding to disasters as a GIS technician, logistics specialist, and survivor assistant. She previously worked for Latinitas, a non-profit that focuses on empowering all girls to innovate through media and technology. She was able to coordinate multiple volunteer events and facilitate new partnerships such as JCPenney's Hope and Wonder Collection collaboration, raising over 100k for the organization. Her projects at the SSEC include supporting programs focused in diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, and creating professional development for the Smithsonian Science for North and South Carolina Classrooms program. Addy hopes to integrate her passion for service and education into her work at the SSEC and beyond through actions and accountability.

Alexia Antunez
Program Specialist

Alexia joins the SSEC/serves as a Program Specialist. She is deeply committed to education development, both domestically and internationally. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University and began her career as a second-grade teacher, where she advocated for coding opportunities for female students and implemented a STEM-based curriculum. Transitioning from the classroom, Alexia served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia, engaging in grassroots initiatives such as providing reproductive health lessons, supporting students with physical disabilities, and enhancing teacher development.

Alexia then relocated to Washington, DC, where she contributed to the Raising a Village Foundation as a program coordinator within AmeriCorps. Collaborating closely with a local high school, she facilitated virtual learning for teachers and tutors during the challenging 2020 school year. Returning to the classroom as a second-grade teacher, she turned her focus to STEM and sustainability education.

Alexia holds a Master’s degree in International Education and Development from the University of Sussex, where she sharpened her expertise in teacher development, sustainable education practices, and refugee education. Now back in Washington, DC, Alexia is excited to embark on her new role as a Program Specialist at SSEC.

Denise Anderson
Advancement Associate

Denise Anderson joins the Smithsonian Science Education Center as the Advancement Associate and is dedicated to driving impact through philanthropy. Prior to joining SSEC’s efforts, she worked to fundraise for the construction of a new museum and related programming. Her primary responsibilities included stewarding high net-worth donors and cultivating new relationships for the opening of a new visitor center. Denise holds a BA in History and Political Science from American University. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Denise worked with AU’s Office of Development gaining experience in university fundraising. 

Katherine Pedersen Blanchard
Assistant Division Director of Professional Services

Katherine Pedersen Blanchard is Assistant Division Director of Professional Services at the SSEC where she has managed programs and led initiatives across the United States and around the world. Katherine works with teachers, schools, districts and communities to build support for science and STEM education that intersects with social issues and sustainable development. She is passionate about connecting people who are doing this work across geographic borders, disciplines, and generations. During her time at the SSEC, Katherine has led professional development workshops, leadership institutes, and has worked on the development of new initiatives including the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project. Prior to joining the SSEC in 2012, Katherine worked in theatre production for companies in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Belgrade, Serbia, and was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Belgrade. She holds a BA in Theatre and Political Science from Coe College, and an MA in International Education from The George Washington University.

Kate Echevarria
Human Resources Liaison

Kate Echevarria is the Human Resources Liaison for the Smithsonian Science Education Center. She is responsible for handling recruitment, internships, performance management, and all aspects of human resources at the Center. She was previously the Executive Office Manager at SSEC for 10 years. Prior to SSEC, Kate was in human resource management having worked for an international hotel chain, the U.S. Government, and a science non-profit.

Sofia Elian
Lead Graphic Designer

Sofia Elian is the Graphic Designer at the Smithsonian Science Education Center where she develops illustrations and graphics across multiple platforms for digital projects such as apps, e-books, games, interactive/simulations, and web. Before joining the team, Sofia was a full-time student at American University receiving a BA in Graphic Design. She also worked at her student-run campus coffee shop as both a barista and their graphic designer, as well as interning at The Federal Reserve as a graphic design intern. On top of working and studying, Sofia was the art director for her University’s 2018 Design Show, creating and developing the show’s content, visuals, and exhibition. She has received two awards during her time as a student, a Design Show “Best in Show” award in 2018 for a UI/UX app design and a Visions Award for a scientific explainer animation. In her free time, Sofia enjoys painting, drawing, and longboarding around DC.

Kat Fancher
Lead Program Specialist

Kat Fancher is a Program Specialist with the SSEC. Before joining the SSEC, Kat was an educator at McWane Science Center in Birmingham, AL where she created and presented informal science education for the public, students, and teachers. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Development from the University of South Alabama.

Katie Gainsback
Assistant Division Director of Professional Services

Katie Gainsback is Assistant Division Director of Professional Services. In this role, she manages programs promoting inquiry-based learning and STEM education across the United States for science teachers, administrators, and community partners. Most notably this work includes the Smithsonian Science for North and South Carolina Classrooms program, funded by a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Before joining the Smithsonian in 2012, Katie facilitated school and public programs in informal education spaces including the National Geographic Museum and at the U.S. National Archives. Katie earned her BA in History from the College of William & Mary and holds an MA in Museum Education from The George Washington University.

Allison Gamble
Finance & Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant.  Allison is responsible for direct support to the SSEC Division Director of Finance & Administration overseeing financial and administrative operations. Allison comes to us after four years with the SI Office of Finance and Accounting, in the Accounts Payable Division. Her great customer relations with all the Smithsonian museums and centers facilitated high volume processing including overseas transactions in multiple foreign currencies.  Allison’s extensive experience as a subject matter expert for the OF&A enterprise system, guided software engineers with the upgrade of the SI-wide cross-functional finance workflow system (SNOW). Prior to moving to the DMV, Allison spent years in commercial industry accounting positions. 

Heidi Gibson
Manager of Global Sustainability Series

Heidi Gibson is the Manager of the Global Sustainability Series in the Curriculum, Digital Media, and Communications Division. Heidi joined SSEC in 2020 to support the development of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides. This followed her prior work as an SSEC Research Fellow helping to develop the structure of the guides and aligning it to ideas from socio-scientific, place-based, participatory action, civic, and global learning research. Heidi is passionate about engaging young people to realize their own power to transform the world. She published a book, From Ideas to Action: Transforming Learning to Inspire Action on Critical Global Issues, and has co-authored articles exploring the supports and educational shifts needed to help young people become a more central part of global sustainability efforts. Heidi has a MA in International Education and has held roles researching and directing global education programs. Diverse perspectives and experiences are exemplified by Heidi’s background which includes serving as a US Foreign Service Officer in China and Fiji, teaching experiential civics to middle and high school students in Washington, DC and Hawaii, and conducting lab research in Berlin and Baltimore while completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She loves to travel to new places, grapple with new ideas, and learn new skills.

Sarah Glassman, PhD
Manager of K-8 Curriculum

Sarah Glassman, PhD, is responsible for leading the development of K-8 curriculum that is aligned to national science, math, technology, and computer science standards. She leads the development of the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom series, which is an innovative curricula to support teachers to implement the science education reforms of the Next Generation Science Standards. She also led the development of Smithsonian Science for Computational Thinking, which integrates science, technology, engineering, math and computational thinking.

Prior to joining the SSEC, Sarah taught middle and high school and worked in education research at AAAS Project 2061. As a teacher, Sarah taught life, earth, and physical science to middle and high school students in Virginia and New York State. At Project 2061, Sarah worked on assessment alignment to the NGSS and on an NSF-funded project identifying linguistic factors associated with differential student performance on science assessments. Sarah has taught science methods to pre-service elementary teachers as an adjunct faculty at George Mason University.

Sarah earned her doctoral degree in Education from George Mason University in 2016. Her research focused on the relationship between middle school science instruction and student engagement. Sarah has a Master’s degree in Biology Teaching from Union Graduate College and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Brown University.

Carolina Gonzalez
Marketing and Communications Specialist

Carolina Gonzalez is a Marketing and Communications Specialist with a background in copywriting, strategy, and digital media advertising for nonprofits and blue-chip brands. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree at Harvard University.

Emily Harrison, PhD
Science Curriculum Developer

Emily Harrison is a Science Curriculum Developer in the SSEC’s Curriculum and Communications Division. She joined the SSEC in 2023 to support the writing of the NGSS-aligned Smithsonian Science for the Classroom modules for elementary classrooms. She previously developed online and hybrid science curricula at UC Berkeley where she collaborated with teachers, researchers, and software engineers to design STEM units in genetics, cell biology, and graphing in science, as well as conducting learning sciences research in classrooms. She started out doing genetics and molecular biology research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) where she also taught at the CSHL DNA Learning Center, leading middle school students through hands-on genetics labs. She went on to create eLearning for the biotech company, Berkeley Lights, to teach customers the molecular biology behind the company’s products and how to successfully use the company’s instruments for cell line development and antibody discovery. She has experience teaching middle school, high school, and college science. Emily has a Masters degree in both Biology and Secondary Science Education from Adelphi University and a PhD in STEM Education from University of California, Berkeley.  

Jacqueline Kolb
Program Specialist

Jacqueline Kolb is a Program Specialist at the SSEC who focuses on our sustainability-related initiatives. She hopes to help change how people perceive and interact with their environment, both internal and external, through this work. Before working at the Smithsonian, Jacqueline spent several years teaching in a wide range of contexts and thinking about how she could best help students work with the systemic issues that challenge them every day. This led her to Arizona State University, where she received an MS in Global Sustainability Science. Taking a global perspective has been important to Jacqueline since her first study abroad experience in high school, and she has continued to seek out exchange with the international community, most recently while studying at Leuphana Universität Lüneburg as part of her Master’s degree.  Throughout all the changes in her life, she has been uplifted by reading, music, and cooking, and after seeing how developing her creativity in other fields aided her in her professional life encourages the integration of the arts into scientific learning.

Hyunju Lee, EdD
Senior Research Scientist

Hyunju Lee, Ed.D. is a research scientist in the Professional Services division of the SSEC. Before joining the SSEC, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Utah State University and at the University of South Florida, and a visiting scholar at Leiden University in the Netherlands. She received the NASA HST Education & Public Outreach grant, and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Science Education Center at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) of the Caltech. She has participated in several NSF-granted studies in science education, and her research has focused on teacher learning of technology, professional development, student learning of science, and astronomy education. She received her doctoral degree in Science Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in US, and a MS in Astronomy from Seoul National University and a BS in Physics with a science teaching certificate from Ewha Womans University in South Korea. She had previously worked for STEM education programs, taught students, and translated children’s science books including Magic School Bus series from English to Korean. Hyunju likes to travel, to look at the night sky, and to spend time with her kids. More information about her research can be found at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hyunju-Lee

Victor Lucena
Software Developer & Learning Designer

Victor Lucena is the Digital Instructional Designer and Producer at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. He designs and develops games, simulations, and other digital media. Victor received his Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in their Learning Design Innovation Technology program. He also has a Bachelor’s of Engineering in Computer Science and a minor in Music from Cornell University. Before working at SSEC he had been an instructor at KTBYTE Lt., where he taught and developed curriculum for online computer science classes. And in his free time, Victor enjoys playing games (both digital and tabletop), making musical mashups, and watching video essays on YouTube.

Johnny McInerney
Executive Assistant

Johnny McInerney is the Executive Office Manager for the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Johnny was born and raised in Golden, Colorado – right where Denver hits the Rockies. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder (sko’ Buffs!) graduating Summa Cum Laude in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. In 2018, he jumped onto the re-election campaign on Congressman Ed Perlmutter of Colorado’s 7th Congressional District, and after a successful campaign was fortunate to have Rep. Perlmutter offer him the Staff Assistant position in his legislative office on Capitol Hill here in Washington, DC. After two and a half years Johnny transitioned roles to become the Scheduler for Congressman Donald Norcross of Southern New Jersey. While on the Hill, Johnny was elected to a board membership of the LGBT Congressional Staff Association as the 2021 Director of Community Service and Engagement. After he departed the Hill, Johnny worked for a think tank downtown for just under a year before he found himself lucky enough to take this incredible opportunity with the Smithsonian. 

Johnny is passionate about a lot of things: food, film, roller coasters, oil painting, video games, pets, and people…just to name a few!

Hannah Osborn
Project Manager

Hannah Osborn is a project manager for the Curriculum, Digital Media, and Communications division where she is the contact for general operational responsibilities, manages and administers budget, procures vendors and contractors, creates content, and supports the writers, editors, and subject matter specialists within the division. Prior to coming to the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Hannah worked in healthcare as a Prosthetist and Orthotist, where she provided braces and artificial limbs to patients. In her free time, Hannah loves to travel anywhere and everywhere. She also enjoys watching and participating in sports, attending theater performances, and being outdoors hiking or camping. Hannah earned her MA from Georgetown University in Liberal Studies and her BA from the University of Michigan in Psychology and Classical Archeology.

Shellie Pick
Special Projects Coordinator

Shellie Pick (she/her) is a Special Projects Coordinator in the Professional Services division of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Prior to joining SSEC, Shellie began her Smithsonian career at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, first working as an animal keeper on the Asia Trail before moving to education. In her most recent role as a Learning Programs Specialist at the Zoo, Shellie developed and delivered virtual learning programs for K-12 and adult audiences, highlighting the importance of saving wildlife and wild places. She is passionate about STEM education, especially ensuring it is inclusive and accessible to all. Shellie received her B.S. from the University of California- Davis in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology.  

Andre Radloff
Science Curriculum Developer

Andre Radloff is a Science Curriculum Developer on the Curriculum and Communications Team. He joined SSEC in 2017 to begin the development of freely accessible, internationally-focused, problem-based curriculum modules on topics such as mosquito borne diseases, climate change, deforestation, and clean water. Through the development of these digital curriculum modules, teacher resources, and innovative implementation strategies, he hopes to provide equitable education resources that motivate, inspire, and empower teachers and students around the world to work together towards a more sustainable future. 

Prior to joining SSEC, Andre was the Instructional Designer for a five-year research project looking at professional development and problem-based learning at George Mason University. He has also spent time developing curriculum and professional development programs within The JASON Project at National Geographic. But, his career in education really began in public school classrooms throughout Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Virginia where he taught science and math for six years. Andre earned his BS in Science Education from the University of Iowa and received an MS in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He can be spotted regularly strumming a guitar around a campfire and having existential conversations with his Siamese cat, Elliot.

Jasmine Rogers
Finance Specialist

Jasmine Rogers is the Finance Specialist for the Smithsonian Science Education Center. She is responsible for assisting the Division Director of Finance and Administration with budget formulation and execution, procurement oversight, and accounting functions. Prior to joining SSEC, she served as the Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration with Georgetown University’s medical school. Jasmine holds a BA in International Affairs and a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution.

Melissa Rogers
Senior Science Curriculum Developer

Melissa Rogers is a Senior Science Curriculum Developer on the Curriculum and Communications Division. She joined SSEC in 2017 to support the writing of the NGSS-aligned Smithsonian Science for the Classroom modules for elementary classrooms. Melissa completed a BS and MS in Geophysics at Virginia Tech, with a focus on earthquake seismology. Following that, rather than studying the vibrations of Earth, she applied her data analysis skills to understanding the microgravity environment of Earth-orbiting spacecraft such as the US Space Shuttles. After explaining microgravity to researchers for several years, she started to develop microgravity educational materials for NASA and to design and facilitate related teacher professional learning opportunities. That led to (earth systems, environmental science, engineering, physics) classroom teaching at the high school, community college, and four-year college levels. For four years prior to joining SSEC, Melissa created in-person, on-line, and hybrid climate change professional learning workshops for educators. In her spare time, she enjoys perusing cookbooks and testing out new recipes.

Layla Sastry
Program Assistant

Layla Sastry is a Program Assistant in the Professional Services Division of the SSEC. Layla developed an interest in sustainable education while growing up on Cape Cod and soon became passionate about the intersection of climate change, culture, education, and social justice while studying Anthropology and Environmental Studies at Tufts University. Prior to working at the SSEC, Layla had internships at the US Geological Survey creating public education resources, at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History as a Museum Operations Intern, and at Massachusetts-based environmental justice and disaster relief organizations. She is thrilled to join the SSEC team and to help develop and implement exciting, relevant, accessible, and empowering STEM curricula for sustainable development.

Elle Satterthwaite
Program Assistant

Elle Satterthwaite is a Program Assistant in the Professional Services Division of the SSEC supporting programs focused on Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI). Prior to working at the SSEC, Elle designed and supported programs and initiatives aimed at improving inclusion and long-term academic success for historically underrepresented students for Bucknell University’s Office of Admissions as an Admissions Intern. She is passionate about broadening access to STEM and is thrilled to contribute to DEAI initiatives that help shape a more inclusive future for science education. Elle graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Public Policy.

Beth Short, EdD
Senior Science Curriculum Developer

Beth Short, Ed.D. is a Science Curriculum Developer in the SSEC’s Curriculum and Communications division.  Prior to working with SSEC, she worked in both formal and informal educational settings.  Her experience includes working as Associate Director of Nature’s Classroom Inc. where she developed standards-aligned environmental education curriculum, coordinated with schools across the New England region, and served on the board of directors for the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society.  As a classroom teacher, Beth taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grade where she continued to share her passion for the natural world with her students. She received her doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Washington University in 2023.  Her research examines evidence of global thinking in student discourse about socioscientific issues. Beth earned her Master of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning in 2011 from Lesley University and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from the University of Detroit-Mercy.

Khadijah Thibodeaux
Science Curriculum Developer

Khadijah Thibodeaux is a Science Curriculum Developer in the SSEC’s Curriculum, Digital Media and Communications division. Khadijah joined the SSEC in 2023 to support the development of Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research and action guides. Before joining the SSEC, Khadijah was a middle school science teacher serving historically underrepresented and under resourced students. Her role in the classroom ignited her passion for creating engaging, accessible, and inclusive science learning experiences for educational transformation. Khadijah has a Master’s Degree in Education from Southern Methodist University concentrated in Urban Education, where she focused extensively on Universally Designed Learning, Asset Based Pedagogies, and Culturally Responsive Teaching. She also has earned a Bachelors degree in Molecular Biology from Pomona College. 

Inola Walston
Assistant Division Director of Advancement and Partnerships

Inola Walston is the Assistant Division Director of Advancement and Partnerships for SSEC. Inola has nearly 30 years of fundraising and non-profit experience. As the Assistant Division Director for Advancement and Partnerships, Inola composes and drafts detailed proposals and correspondence to donors and prospects; prepares reports and marketing materials; participates in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities; and assists in the planning, management, and execution of special events and educational experiences to maintain donor engagement. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Inola was the Organizational Advancement Officer for the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), an economic development non-profit organization in Washington, DC. While at CFED, Inola was primarily responsible for a variety of grants management and fundraising activities such as grant writing, reporting, stewardship, and prospect research. Over her professional career, Inola has been employed at such venerable organizations as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, where she helped to raise funding during the museum’s capital campaign. Ms. Walston earned her BS in Interior Design from Louisiana State University.

Raymond Williams
Publishing Assistant

Raymond Williams is the Publishing Assistant for SSEC’s Curriculum, Digital Media, & Communications Division. Prior to SSEC, Raymond held administrative positions at American Public Health Association and Management Concepts. He received his bachelor's degree in Mass Communications, Print-Online Journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, writing, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

Sherrell Williams
Program Manager

Sherrell Williams is the Program Manager for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) within the Professional Services Division of the Smithsonian Science Education Center.  Sherrell manages the SSEC’s  programs that support educators in identifying, and removing, barriers that discourage students, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, from pursuing pathways to STEM education and STEM careers.  In this role, she is able to support the work of educators to connect and create lasting impact in their school communities, and education systems. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, she managed school-based family programs at Turning the Page, where she fostered relationship-building between school staff and families to increase meaningful family engagement in Washington, DC public schools.  Her work in continuing conversations around DEAI stems from a teaching career, where she successfully led as a mentor teacher and implemented schoolwide initiatives to address lack of diversity in parent involvement.  Sherrell earned a BS in Health Management from Norfolk State University and a M.Ed. in Education Policy and Leadership from American University.