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USF College of Education to Empower STEM Educators to Meet Global Demand at 14th Annual Education in Action Luncheon

TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 9, 2016) – The Â鶹ÊÓƵ (USF) College of Education and the Florida State Fairgrounds are proud to host the 14th Annual Education in Action luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 16, where educators and community leaders from across the Tampa Bay area will connect to share ideas about improving education in the Tampa Bay area.

The Education in Action luncheon is a unique opportunity to connect a diverse group of education stakeholders under one roof. This year's keynote address will be delivered by Meghan Summers West, President of CNC Software, Inc., an organization most known for their product Mastercam.

"The success of our manufacturing industry relies heavily on the knowledge, passion and influence of today's educators," Summers West said. "They have the ability to light the spark for students and show them the opportunities that await them in today's advanced manufacturing field. Many young people simply haven't been exposed to modern manufacturing and have no familiarity with it. If we can provide our teachers with the education they need to properly communicate its importance and its benefits, then we can have a significant, positive impact on the futures of this next generation, the manufacturing industry, and our economy."

The luncheon will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Florida Center on Florida State Fairgrounds, and doors will open at 11:30 a.m. The event will be emceed by Jennifer Leigh, a news anchor at Tampa's NBC affiliate WFLA and a proud USF alumna. At the luncheon, educators, community leaders and partners from throughout the Tampa Bay area will join together to raise awareness about the importance of "teaching for the future," and shaping STEM educators to meet the global demand.

"The Education in Action Luncheon is an opportunity for the USF College of Education to create awareness of the importance of STEM education in our schools," said Stephanie Holmquist Johnson, Ph.D., Chair of the Education in Action Organizing Committee. "We need to join together to become proactive, instead of reactive to the ever-changing climate in the field of education, and this event is an opportunity to do so. We hope our guests — whether they be students, alumni or educators in the schools today, leave this luncheon feeling inspired and empowered to promote STEM education in the classroom."

"As a community, we can Empower STEM Educators to meet Global Demands, and this year we will be showcasing educators in our community who are making a difference in STEM education," said Roger Brindley, Interim Dean of the USF College of Education. "The Education in Action Luncheon is an opportunity to bring all of our partners together for an informative and social occasion, and to recognize that education is a priority for everyone to ensure the success of our children today and in the future."

To purchase tickets or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for this event, please contact Tracee Norris at norrist@usf.edu or 813-974-0363.

For more information, please contact:

Elizabeth Engasser
Director of Communications
Â鶹ÊÓƵ College of Education
eengasser@usf.edu
(813) 974-8723

About the USF College of Education:
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (formerly NCATE), and is fully approved by the Florida Department of Education. The USF College of Education is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 100 programs in the nation, as well as in the top 20 for online graduate programs. The USF College of Education has over 51,000 alumni who are making a difference in the lives of children each day.

About the Â鶹ÊÓƵ:
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. USF is a Top 25 research university among public institutions nationwide in total research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation. Serving over 48,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

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