Manuel Figueroa, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Excellence in STEM Education, Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative STEM Education
Dr. Manuel Figueroa is an Associate Professor at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) where he prepares pre-service teachers to become K-12 technology and engineering educators. His education-based research involves developing pedagogical tools to help STEM educators teach about engineering topics at all grade levels, through human centered design, engineering habits of mind, and the development of a STEM Identity. His lab-based research is in the areas of biotechnology and nanotechnology education where he develops lessons that naturally integrate the STEM disciplines. Dr Figueroa is regularly involved in various informal STEM education events, including hosting high school engineering design challenges and robotic competitions in New Jersey. He received his PhD in biomedical engineering from Drexel University and bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Tulane University. Dr Figueroa is an NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow and an NSF Graduate STEM Fellow in K-12 Education (GK-12).
Rebecca Turner, Assistant Director of Program Development of the Center for Excellence in STEM Education
Rebecca Turner is Assistant Director of Program Development of the Center. She oversees New Jersey Department of Education-funded projects housed through the Center, including Career and Technical Student Organization, Technology Student Association (TSA), and the Central New Jersey Computer Science Education Hub (CNJCSEH). The Center was awarded funding for the CNJCSEH in 2022. Since its formation, Rebecca has organized over 50 computer science education workshops, with focuses on K-12 teachers, administrators, and prospective future educators. Additionally, through the CNJCSEH, Rebecca has led the Center in partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County to have Integrative STEM Education and Technology Education undergraduate students from TCNJ conduct computer science activities and lessons within the Boys and Girls Club locations throughout Trenton, Ewing, and Lawrenceville. Within the TSA project, which has been at TCNJ for 20+ years, Rebecca has supported over 100 middle schools and high schools across the state of New Jersey to participate in STEM and leadership-based activities, competitions, conferences, and learning opportunities. Most recently, she has been the Project Coordinator for the Center’s Code.org Partnership.
In 2024, Rebecca joined the teaching staff at Harvard Extension School, supporting courses within the Nonprofit Management Certification Program. She holds a Master of Education Degree in Literacy and a Bachelor of Science in STEM, specialization in Technology, both from The College of New Jersey. In 2023, Rebecca earned a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the Harvard Extension School.
Alison Goeke, NJ State Project Director of TSA, Director of Future Engineers of Trenton
Alison M. Goeke holds master’s degrees in Teaching Elementary Education and Educational Technology from TCNJ. She received her bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Drew University. She is also the State Director for the New Jersey Technology Student Association (NJ TSA), the fastest growing Career and Technical Student Organization in the state. NJ TSA is the only organization devoted exclusively to the needs of middle and high school technology education students. NJ TSA provides conferences, field experiences, seminars, competitive events and professional development for NJ students and educators. In spring 2007, Alison became an adjunct professor for the Department of Technological Studies at TCNJ. She has written articles for various technology education publications, conducts professional development trainings for elementary and middle school teachers and regularly presents at educational conferences in the tri-state area.
Jason Erdreich, Project Lead of the Central New Jersey Computer Science Education Hub
Along with the above staff members, the Center for Excellence in STEM Education is pleased to work with dozens of professional development facilitators, including but not limited to:
- Paige Besthoff, Spotswood Appleby School
- Corinne Blaine, John Adams Elementary School
- Kevin Cardenas, Cresskill Public Schools
- Daryl Detrick, Warren Hills Regional High School
- Kathleen Effner, Parsippany High School
- Ellen Fishter, Livingston Public Schools
- Mandy Galante, Red Bank Regional High School
- Claudette Guy, The Hun School of Princeton
- Dr. Tanner Huffman, The College of New Jersey
- Gary Hull, Spotswood High School
- Benjamin Isecke, Bergen County Academies
- John Kuiphoff, The College of New Jersey
- Abby Lahr, Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District
- Jeremy Milonas, Red Bank Regional High School
- Roseanna Misuraca, Edgar Middle School
- Karen Rubinstein, Code.org
- Sheryl Roses, Howell High School
- Lora Santucci, Morris Hills High School
- Adam Swift, Egg Harbor Township High School
- Laura Wojick, Phillipsburg High School
- Amy Wright, The Hun School of Princeton
- Nigel Wright, Meta