Larisa Schelkin - Larisa Schelkin

Larisa K. Schelkin is a Workforce Training & Education Expert and STEM Education Policy Specialist with extensive experience in workforce development, training programs, and STEM education initiatives. She is the CEO, President, and Founder of the Global STEM Education Center, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the President and Founder of Global STEM Education Consulting, LLC.

With more than 20 years of experience in engineering research and development, Larisa has held executive positions in academia and global STEM corporations, including Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT), Tufts University, and Tyco Electronics Global Corporation.

Workforce Training & Education Leadership

A recognized leader in workforce training, Larisa has led workforce educational and training needs analyses and developed numerous workforce training initiatives. For over 15 years, she served on the Massachusetts Regional Employment Workforce Development Board, working on Youth Workforce Development, Career, and Employment initiatives.

As a Senior Workforce Training and Education Specialist at Tyco Electronics, she managed grants and contracts, including funding from the Department of Labor’s Advanced Engineering Training Grant and the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund grant. She also developed and implemented corporate workforce training programs, including: Electronics Technology, Semiconductor Technician, Engineering Assistant, ​​​​​​​Basic Microwave Technician.

A strong advocate for vocational and technical education, Larisa worked with the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) for more than 10 years, serving on the MAVA Annual Conference Committee and presenting on workforce training and education issues. She is also an active member of the National Council of Local Administrators of Career and Technical Education and a frequent conference speaker.

STEM Education & Policy Leadership

A pioneering leader in STEM education since its inception in the mid-1990s, Larisa has been instrumental in shaping STEM policies and initiatives. She is a Fellow on Education Policy at the Institute for Education Leadership (IEL), Washington, D.C. (Class of 2015) and a Fellow and Board Member of the Massachusetts Academy of Science.

She has served on the Governing Board of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) and has contributed to state and national STEM education policies. As an Education Policy and Research Fellow (Class of 2015), she has collaborated with legislators at both national and state levels on STEM workforce development initiatives.

Larisa has played a key role in shaping Massachusetts STEM education policies, contributing to the Massachusetts STEM Education Summit Committee and the MA STEM K-12 Pipeline Advisory. She also supports project-based learning initiatives at Blackstone Valley Vocational School District.

Global STEM Leadership & Contributions

Larisa is the author of the Global STEM Classroom® teaching and learning model and has developed over 35 Global STEM projects, establishing partnerships with K-12 schools and universities in 12 countries. She is a NASA GLOBE Partner, GLOBE Educator, and a member of the NASA GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN). Additionally, she serves as a GLOBE IVSS Judge and a GLOBE SRS Leadership Team Member.

Education & Professional Affiliations

Larisa holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Petroleum Engineering and an M.S. in Computer Science. She has continued her education with prestigious certifications from Harvard University, NASA, the Diplomacy Foundation, and the International Society for Technology in Education.

Certifications & Advanced Training

• 2024 Diplomacy Foundation – Tech Diplomacy Course
• 2023 Diplomacy Foundation – Science Diplomacy Course
• 2023 Harvard University – Instructional Coaching Through Change: Supporting Teachers in Action Certificate
• 2022 Harvard University – The Online Classroom: Strategies for Higher Education Teaching and Learning Certificate
• 2021 Harvard University Graduate School of Education – Media and Technology in Education Certificate
• 2020 Harvard University Graduate School of Education – Online Teaching and Learning Strategies Certificate
• 2020 Harvard Business School Online – Disruptive Strategy/Disruptive Innovation Certificate
• 2020 Harvard University Graduate School of Education – Education Re-Design Certificate
• 2020 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) – Artificial Intelligence Certificate
• 2019 NASA Goddard – 4D Leadership Training Certificate
• 2019 Harvard University Global Education – Think Tank & Educating Global Citizens Certificates

Professional Associations & Memberships

Larisa is an active member of several prestigious organizations, including:

• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

Her ongoing work continues to shape workforce training and STEM education policies at both state and national levels.

              
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