COSAM News Articles 2020 October Governor Ivey appoints COSAM’s Mary Lou Ewald as a representative on the new Alabama STEM Council

Governor Ivey appoints COSAM’s Mary Lou Ewald as a representative on the new Alabama STEM Council

Published: 10/13/2020

By: Maria Gebhardt

Mary Lou Ewald, director of Outreach in the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM), has dedicated her entire career to increasing STEM educational opportunities for K-12 students.

Governor Kay Ivey appointed her to a new state council for STEM.

On Monday, September, September 21, Governor Ivey announced the new council and signed Executive Order NO. 721, which established this group that will advise state leaders and collaborate on STEM-related topics.

“Mary Lou has made a tremendous impact in COSAM and in just 2019 led programming for more than 10,000 students, parents, teachers and community members,” explained Dean Nicholas J. Giordano. “I am proud that Governor Ivey has recognized her expertise for this new council.”

These leaders in STEM will work on ways to increase STEM education working on a new Governor’s STEM “Seal of Approval” and increase effective STEM programming throughout the state.

With more than 850,000 STEM-related jobs anticipated in the state of Alabama by 2026, this team will work on an array of projects to help students prepare for their future.

“Mary Lou has helped students learn about STEM through an array of outreach programming in addition to creating opportunities for students to get hands-on experience with drones, robotic competitions, 3D printing and more. Now, Mary Lou will be able to help future generations develop a passion for STEM and turn those in-demand skills into rewarding careers,” Dean Giordano said.