(NORTHFIELD, MN -- January 21, 2021) The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College is proud to welcome four new employees to its team: Science Education Associates Dr. Bonita Flournoy and Dr. Sarah Fortner, and Content Specialists Bradlee Cotton, M.S. and Allison Jones, M.S.
Dr. Bonita Flournoy (she/her/hers) is a Science Education Associate who provides grant writing, evaluation, and professional development for the full scope of projects undertaken by SERC. Dr. Flournoy brings with her over twenty years of science education and Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) teacher preparation experience to SERC, most recently serving as a Senior Site Director at Year Up, inc. in Atlanta, GA and an instructor of Chemistry at Georgia Military College. She earned her Ed. D in Science Education from the University of Georgia-Athens, her M.A. in Science Education and Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University, and her B.S. in Chemistry from Bishop College. In her free time, Dr. Flournoy enjoys traveling and interior design. More information about Dr. Flournoy can be found on her SERC webpage.
Dr. Sarah Fortner (she/her/hers) joins the SERC team also as a Science Education Associate. She supports the SERC mission through STEM equity-focused research, project development, project management, and partner collaboration. Dr. Fortner has over 20 years of biogeochemical research and applied work with the USGS and Ohio Department of Natural Resources and, over the last 10 years, she has led and supported knowledge coproduction between students, faculty, and community organizations that co-advance research, education, and social justice outcomes. Her faculty and program development work has helped geoscience faculty get started in community partnering. Dr. Fortner has a love for the glacier community and she currently serves on the Juneau Icefield Research Program Academic and Research Council. Dr. Fortner joins SERC from Wittenberg University, where she was the Director of Environmental Science and an Associate Professor of Geology. She earned both her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Earth Science from The Ohio State University and her B.S. in Geology and Geophysics from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Fortner looks forward to joining local groups when her family relocates to Northfield, MN. For more information about Dr. Fortner, visit her SERC webpage.
Bradlee Cotton, M.S (she/her/hers) joins the SERC team as a Content Specialist where she works with project Primary Investigators on a range of projects including workshop preparation and support, and website and resource development. She most recently completed her M.S. in Geology at the University of Wyoming during which she studied fluvial geomorphology and sediment transport. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Applied Geology and a B.A. in Spanish from Northern Arizona University. Bradlee has three years of geoscience research experience and two years of education experience. Bradlee's passion for the Earth is not only evident in her professional life, but it also extends to her life outside of work: "I love everything about the Earth, from hiking to amateur gardening to traveling and exploring new places." Bradlee also enjoys spending her free time baking, crocheting, and being with her loved ones. For more about Bradlee, visit her SERC webpage.
Allison Jones, M.S. (she/her/hers) joins SERC as a Content Specialist. Allison works on the full scope of SERC projects providing project management, workshop planning and support, content development, and social media and communications strategy. Allison brings with her more than five years each of geoscience and education experience, as well as a background in communications and marketing. She is dedicated to advancing geoscience education at all levels through universal design practices and education technology. Allison recently earned her M.S. in Geoscience from University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied structural geology. She previously attended Diablo Valley Community College where she earned her A.S. in Geology, and University of the Pacific where she earned her B.A. in Communication. Outside of work, Allison is an avid swimmer and has recently rediscovered her love for knitting and other textile arts.
About the Science Education Resource Center (SERC)
The Science Education Resource Center is a grant-funded office at Carleton College, founded to improve education in the Earth sciences and beyond. SERC's team of educators, researchers and technical specialists have worked with over 100 award-winning education projects across the STEM disciplines and allied fields. Engaging participants from over 1,000 institutions of higher education, as well as K-12 curriculum developers and teachers, SERC has created one of the world's largest collections of pedagogic resources.
https://serc.carleton.edu/index.html
About Carleton College
Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Nationally recognized as the nation's top college for undergraduate teaching, Carleton is known for its academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and sense of humor. Carleton offers 33 majors and 31 minors in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics and social sciences.
https://www.carleton.edu/about/
