Karen Kinsman

Karen Kinsman, MS is the Director/Senior Program Manager of the STEM-H Center for Outreach, Research & Education at the University of New Mexico. Karen has been with UNM since 2002 when her initial role was managing the Central NM Science & Engineering Research Challenge (then called Regional Science & Engineering Fair).  Over time, the organization has grown, taking on other programs and creating new services with which to support the STEM-H education community in Central NM and beyond.  In early 2013, the organization became the UNM STEM-H Center for Outreach, Research and Education.  In addition to its core programs & services (Central NM Science & Engineering Research Challenge, Central NM Science Olympiad, SW Region Junior Science & Humanities Symposium, STEM-H Educator Professional Development Workshops, Resource Center/Lending Library, online resources, etc.), the STEM-H Center is focusing on a broader set of external STEM-H education related initiatives, developing strategic partnerships/collaborations, working on state/federal STEM-H education policy/ advocacy as requested, and developing/managing of the statewide collaborative STEM-H education resource website called NM STEM-H Connection.

As a recognized leader in STEM-H education & outreach within and outside New Mexico, Karen continues to take on roles in STEM-H education related committees/groups on a regional, statewide, and national level as opportunities arise.  Since 2007, Karen has been part of the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) On-Site Operations Team as a Core Volunteer helping to manage Registration & Special Assistance during the week-long event.  Karen was a member of the Intel ISEF Advisory Council from 2008-2011, serving as Chair from 2008-2010 and Outgoing Chair in 2011.  Karen has extensive professional experience in all facets of non-profit organizational leadership as well as in addictions counseling, case management, residential and day program management, college instruction, staff development and training, public speaking and workshop facilitation, convention and events management, and organizational consulting.  In 2014, Karen completed a Project Management Master Certificate Program as well as a Certificate Program in Facilitation at the University of New Mexico.  In May 2015, Karen facilitated a workshop on “Managing Research Competitions” at the Intel Educators Academy where nearly 150 participants from 31 countries in work teams including educators, policy makers, and educational leaders (ex: Ministers of Education) to participate in several days of intensive training that leads them to the development of a plan of action to grow or implement new research programs/competitions for high school students. 

 Karen is a member of the NM Public Education Department’s Math & Science Advisory Council, the NM Partnership for Mathematics & Science Education, the Mission Graduate STEM Council, the External Advisory Committee for a NASA-funded grant at the Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), and the Internal Advisory Committee for UNM School of Engineering: Center for Water and the Environment – NSF CREST Grant, the NM STEM Collective Impact/Action team, the NM Science Teachers Association, and the UNM Health Sciences Center’s Recruitment, Retention & Outreach Committee.