STCC names dean for the School of STEM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Lara Sharp has been named dean of the School of STEM at Springfield Technical Community College.
Dr. Geraldine de Berly, vice president of Academic Affairs at STCC, welcomed Sharp in a recent email to the campus community.
Lara Sharp
De Berly highlighted Sharp’s professional experience, which includes six years at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, Fla., as the program director for Engineering, Manufacturing and Building Arts and also serving as the acting dean of Natural Sciences, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Building Arts.
From 2013-2015, she was at the Corporate College of Polk State College, in Winter Haven, Fla., managing National Science Foundation (NSF) and Department of Labor (DOL) grants in advanced manufacturing and engineering technology.
Sharp spent more than 11 years teaching chemistry, natural science and engineering to high school students at various locations.
Sharp also brings industry experience, having worked at Specialty Minerals Inc. as a process engineer and an operator technician as well as an educational consultant for PASCO Scientific.
She has been recognized for her outstanding teaching as well as her community engagement including a STEM Woman of the Year Award from Girls Inc. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.
“I am honored to join STCC as the dean of STEM,” Sharp said. “STEM has been a part of my life as an engineer, teacher, mentor, and daughter of a science teacher and a nurse. I look forward to working with everyone to participate in the continuation of STCC's storied reputation as THE technical community college in Massachusetts.”
De Berly said Sharp is familiar with Western New England and its demographics. She is knowledgeable of the process required to build STEM programs.
“As the new STEM Dean, she will work closely with the faculty and other key stakeholders to increase the diversity of underrepresented students and faculty in STEM in addition to creating cross-disciplinary synergies,” de Berly said.
Sharp holds a Master of Science in industrial engineering from the University of South Florida, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
The School of STEM at STCC includes programs in advanced manufacturing and engineering technologies, graphic communication and photography, landscape design and management, optics and photonics, as well as science and computer-related programs.
Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu