Bio

M. Ofelia Aguirre Paden is the Director of the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP) at the University of California Santa Barbara. Since 1999 she has played an integral role in the design, implementation and evaluation of a wide variety of collaborative initiatives that bring together researchers, educators, industry and government partners to develop and implement projects that address the state and national needs of broadening participation in STEM for students and professionals at all levels. These projects have included National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, Department of Defense, private foundation and industry-led initiatives to recruit, educate and train the future STEM workforce.