What is STEM?
An explanation of what STEM is and Alabama’s initiative in STEM
OUR MISSION
House Bill 365
The Alabama STEM Council was established on September 21, 2020, by Executive Order No. 721 from Governor Kay Ivey. In 2025, the Council was formally codified into law through House Bill 365, officially recognizing it as the state’s leader in evaluating and advancing STEM education and workforce initiatives.
The Council’s mission is to advise the Governor, Legislature, Lieutenant Governor, and State Department of Education on strategies to strengthen STEM-related education, expand career awareness, and support workforce development across Alabama.
It builds on the foundation of newly codified HB 365 and operates within the Alabama Department of Workforce Development.
STEM Reports
- 2021 AL STEM Council Annual Report
- 2022 AL STEM Council Annual Report
- 2023 AL STEM Council Annual Report
- 2024 AL STEM Council Annual Report
- ANA Evaluation - Year 1 Report 2023 (Created by HumRRO)
- ANA Evaluation - Quarterly Memo Apr 2024 (Created by HumRRO)
- ANA Evaluation - Quarterly Memo July 2024 (Created by HumRRO)
- ANA Evaluation - Quarterly Memo Oct 2024 (Created by HumRRO)
- ANA Evaluation - Year 2 Annual Report 2024 (Created by HumRRO)
- ANA Evaluation - Quarterly Memo Apr 2025 (Created by HumRRO)
- ANA Evaluation - Quarterly Memo July 2025 (Created by HumRRO)
OUR LEADERSHIP
Executive Committee
Leadership to the Council is provided by its Executive Committee, which is managed by Sheila Holt, Executive Director and chaired by Dr. Cynthia McCarty, Professor Emerita—Jacksonville State University. Daily Operations are led by Sheila Holt, and the STEM Operations team.
Congressional District 4
Vacant
Congressional District 5
Kelly East
Vice President For
Educational Outreach
Hudson Alpha
Email
Congressional District 6
Kristin Julbert
EVP, Head of Consumer Strategy & Customer Experience
Regions Bank
Email
Congressional District 7
Adrienne Starks
Founder and CEO
STREAM Innovations
Email
Members of the
Alabama STEM Council
The Council has 49 total members drawing from the 5 sectors of industries, K-12 & higher education, CTE/postsecondary training, informal STEM, and public officials/leaders. These members also occupy seats in our six (6) working groups.
Jimmy Baker
Chancellor
Alabama Community College System
Tiffany Bishop
Workforce Development Manager
Ascension
Calvin Briggs
Executive Director
Southern Center for Broadening Participation in STEM
Elisabeth Davis, Ed.D
Internship/STEM Series Coordinator – Eagles Soar | Grant
Faulkner University
Tammy Dunn
Vice President for Academic Affairs
A+ College Ready
Charles E. Elliott
Addiction Medicine
Drug Treatment Court
Eighth Judicial Circuit, Alabama
Mary Lou Ewald
Director of STEM Outreach Center
Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics
Jeff Gray
Professor, Department of Computer Science
University of Alabama
Andre Harrison
Vice President
Cognial22
John Hoyle
President
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
Dodd Hawthorne
Assistant State Superintendent
Alabama State Department of Education
Scott Haywood
Staff Engineer, Technical Development Maintenance & Equipment Service Dept.
Honda Alabama Auto Plant
Liz Huntley
The Hope Institute, Co-Founder Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC, of Counsel
Kristin Julbert
EVP, Head of Consumer Strategy & Customer Experience
Regions Bank
Kathryn Lanier
Director of STEM Education Outreach
Southern Research
Sandy Ledwell, Ed.D.
Dean, College of Education
Faulkner University
Eric Mackey
State Superintendent of Education
Tim McCartney
Trustee
Alabama Community College System
Cynthia McCarty
Professor Emeritus
Jacksonville State University
Kevin McGhaw
Director
Southeast Regional Office of STEM Engagement, NASA
Michael McLendon
Executive Director
AISA
Ellen McNair
Secretary of Commerce
Alabama Department of Commerce
Thomas McNeal
Workforce Development Manager
Alabama Power
Tina Miller-Way
Chair, Discovery Hall Programs
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Paul Morin
Alabama Smart Foundation
Keith Philips
Executive Director,
Alabama Technology Network
Jim Purcell
Executive Director,
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Greg Reed
Secretary of Workforce
Alabama Department of Workforce
Adrienne Starks
Founder and CEO
STREAM Innovations
Christy Swaid
Founder and CEO
HEAL, Inc. (Healthy Eating Active Living)
Kay Taylor
Vice President of Education
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Amy Templeton
President and CEO
McWane Science Center
Brenda Terry
Executive Director
Alabama Mathematics Science, and Technology Education Coalition
Tina Watts
Community Investor
The Boeing Company
Phil Webb
Chairman
Alabama Department of Workforce Board