Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub Names New Director
The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub is excited to welcome its new Director, Susan “Sue” Patterson.
The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub is the state’s newest educational partnership between
LBCC, Oregon State University, the Linn Benton Lincoln Educational Service District,
all the K-12 Districts in Linn and Benton counties, and industry and community partners
like the Albany Pipeline Program and the Boys and Girls Clubs, focusing on science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Patterson has a long history of working with trade associations, apprenticeship programs,
advisory committees, community colleges, universities and the K-12 system. From 1997-2002,
Patterson worked with the industrial and manufacturing programs at LBCC, helping to
launch the first summer CTE Manufacturing Academies for high school students, now
called Summer Academies.
In her most recent position, Patterson was an education consultant for the Lane Education
Service District, supporting high school CTE programs in construction, manufacturing,
engineering technology, and computer science.
The Hub will focus on both traditional STEM and Career Technical Education (CTE) programming
in alignment with Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) STEM Education Plan, which
states in part that “both CTE and STEM engage and motivate students through hands-on,
real-world learning; both hone creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication,
and teamwork; and, both prepare students for well-paying careers and successful lives.”
Patterson has also worked as an Industrial and Engineering Systems Education Program
Specialist for ODE, as an Education Program Specialist for the Oregon Department of
Community Colleges and Workforce Development, and a Customized Training Program Manager
for Chemeketa Community College.
In 2005 she was appointed to serve on the Workforce 2005 Taskforce with the goal of
improving CTE education across grades seven to 14, and in 2014, she was appointed
to the ODE Science Content and Assessment Panel.
Patterson holds a doctorate of education and masters of adult education, both from
Oregon State University.
The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub joins the statewide network of Hubs, which will allow
for sharing of knowledge and resources. STEM Hub designation also opens the door for
significant funding in STEM Education, including $10 million in so-called “Oracle”
funding which is administered by the Oregon Community Foundation and earmarked for
STEM education in the state.
###
About Linn-Benton Community College: More than 18,000 students rely on Linn-Benton Community College each year for higher education including career technical education, transfer degree programs, professional development, corporate training, small business development, community education classes and more. Serving the mid-Willamette Valley with six locations including its main campus in Albany, LBCC partners with multiple business and industries to enrich the community and support economic growth. LBCC students choose from more than 80 programs and go on to be tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, skilled workers and community builders.