This Staff Spotlight introduces you to Justin Sanders, program director for K-12 engagement in the Kummer Center for STEM Education.

Started at S&T: July 22, 2024

About me: My role focuses on coordinating the Army of Champions outreach program. S&T students visit Missouri high schools to share their campus experiences and promote STEM education. These visits include hands-on demos that highlight academic programs, student organizations, research and other opportunities while supporting classroom learning.

I’m most proud of helping lay the foundation for Army of Champions last semester. With collaboration from the STEM center, admissions, faculty, staff and alumni, we completed 64 high school classroom visits! That momentum continues this semester as we optimize the experience for everyone involved.

Engineering and teaching background: I love the multifaceted nature of my job. Collaborating with students, faculty, and staff to develop resources and meaningful pathways to S&T is incredibly rewarding. No two days are the same, which is similar to my prior career as a high school teacher. Before S&T, I taught math, science, and Project Lead The Way engineering for 15 years in Alabama. Many are surprised to learn my background is in electrical engineering, and my path to teaching began as a graduate student teaching assistant.

Working at the intersection of K–12 education and STEM is rare, and I love that I can leverage both my background and professional experience here. The faculty, staff and students at S&T are first class.

Outside of work, I enjoy the outdoors — mountain biking, pickleball and tennis — and I’m starting to explore my interest in farming and gardening.

Summer camp grad: I also have a special connection to our summer camps! As a camper in the late ‘90s, I had my first college experience, first airplane ride, and first time far away from home. Now, I’m proud to serve as Director for the Derivative of Thrills summer camp, coming full circle in a really meaningful way.

Learn more about the Kummer Center for STEM Education at stemcenter.mst.edu. Learn more about the Derivative of Thrills summer camp.