National Professional STEM Master’s Association Conference 2024
Advancing STEM Leadership and Innovation with the NPSMA
Join us for the National Professional STEM Master’s Association (NPSMA) Conference 2024, tailored for STEM program directors, advisors, faculty, industry partners, and leaders committed to advancing STEM education and workforce development.
This year’s conference offers targeted keynote presentations, expert-led panel discussions, and hands-on workshops focused on improving STEM Master’s programs and tackling key industry challenges.
Why You Should Attend:
- Expand Your Network: Connect with leaders in STEM education, industry, and STEM education leaders.
- Gain Insights: Learn about workforce skills in demand, emerging job market trends, and future outlooks for MS STEM degrees.
- Collaborate: Share ideas and best practices with peers to strengthen and improve your own STEM programs.
- Shape the Future: Be part of the discussion on evolving STEM workforce needs and innovative program solutions.
As an attendee, you’ll have the chance to network with peers, exchange best practices, and explore innovative strategies for integrating STEM disciplines into professional education. Whether you’re an academic leader, program director, or industry collaborator, this conference will equip you with valuable tools and connections to elevate STEM education.
Register today for the 2024 NPSMA National Conference! Meet colleagues from across the country, discuss current and emerging issues, and enjoy time in Philadelphia.
With the theme “Building a STEM Masters Program Community with the NPSMA,” the conference will span two full days of content, starting with a poster session and culminating in an awards ceremony and happy hour on Friday evening.
Join us at The Notary Hotel, Autograph Collection in Philadelphia. For questions or participation ideas, reach out to us at manager@npsma.org.
By registering and/or attending, you consent to the use of photographs, audio, and video taken during the conference for NPSMA’s promotional purposes, including websites, social media, and other media platforms.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, November 6th
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Registration and NPSMA Welcome Evening Mixer with Poster Session
7:00 PM: Dinner on Your Own
Thursday, November 7th
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Welcome and Conference Overview
NPSMA President Tim Born
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM: Philadelphia Welcome and Opening Remarks
Bonnie Grant, Executive Director, PHL Life Sciences, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
9:35 AM – 10:30 AM: Keynote Address: Addressing Workforce Needs through MS-STEM Programs
Margaret Foti, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for Cancer Research
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Refreshment Break and Mingle
10:45 AM – 11:10 AM: Building the National STEM Workforce with STEM Masters Graduates
James Guare, Senior Research Fellow, Merck (Retired)
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Panel Discussion: MS STEM Programs as Launchpads for Successful Careers
Moderators: Beth Murphy, Rutgers University and Tait Chirenje, Stockton University
Speakers: Steve Nagiewicz, Stockton University and Maksim Zorich, Prescient Healthcare Group Inc
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch and Topic Tables
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Presentation: AI Tools Inside and Outside the MS STEM Classroom
Sanaa Jehi, Northeastern University and Desmond Upton Patton, University of Pennsylvania
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Refreshment Break and Mingle
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Panel Discussion: Experiential Learning in the MS-STEM Program Curriculum
Moderator: Beth Murphy, Rutgers University
Panelists: Holli Reyes, Grand Valley State University; Suzanne Hicks, Middle Tennessee State University; Lars Sorensen, Rutgers University
5:00 PM: Dinner on Your Own
Friday, November 8th
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Continental Breakfast and NPSMA Annual Business Meeting
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Panel: MS-STEM Program Success Stories: Building Transferable Skills into the Curriculum and Co-Curriculum
Moderator: Tait Chirenje, Stockton University
Panelists: Kathleen Cashman, Rutgers University; Juliette Hart, Hart and Chin
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Refreshment Break and Mingle
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM: Panel: Administration and Financing of MS-STEM Programs: Building Your MS-STEM Program’s Internal Support Network
Moderator: Kristin Kuter, St Mary’s College
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Panel: Alumni Relations and Advisory Boards: Building Your MS-STEM Program’s External Support Network
Moderators: Deborah Silver, Rutgers University and Dagmar Beck, Rice University
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch and Topic Tables
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Panel: National Trends: Aligning MS-STEM Programs with NSF/NASEM/CGS Guidelines and Initiatives
Moderators: Gerald Grunwald, Thomas Jefferson University and Meghan Dovick, University of Utah.
Panelists: Florence Rabanal and Dmitri Perkins, National Science Foundation
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Refreshment Break and Mingle
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Student Research Presentations: 5MP (Five Minute Presentation) Session
Moderators: Jennie Willis, Colorado State University and Meaghan Nappo, North Carolina State University
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Evening Networking Reception, with NPSMA Board Awards and Student Awards Ceremony
6:30 PM: Dinner on Your Own
Saturday, November 9th
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Continental Breakfast and Conference Summation
Explore Philadelphia
Philadelphia, known as the City of Brotherly Love, is rich in history and culture, offering a variety of attractions and activities for visitors.
Explore the historic Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Old City, filled with charming boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.
Art enthusiasts will enjoy the renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art, home to an impressive collection of works from around the world. For a taste of local flavor, visit the bustling Reading Terminal Market, offering a diverse array of delicious foods and artisanal products.
Whether you’re interested in history, art, or cuisine, Philadelphia has something to offer everyone.