Advisory Board
The Advisory Board meets formally twice a year and electronically as needed. It provides advise on potential community connections to enhance the program, helps to identify highly qualified speakers, and identifies sources of collaborations with existing initiatives in New Mexico. Members were chosen because of their experience working with young people and their expertise in building community programs.
- Barbara Butler brings extensive knowledge of informal science learning and research to advise on effective implementation, evaluation and dissemination for strategic impact.
- Judy Kass was Senior Project Director for Public Understanding of Science at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and brings a wealth of experience in informal science education, particularly in the museum world.
- James Rathjen is a PVS science teacher has been an advocate of the Café program within his school and will be a strong voice for youth needs within the program.
- Carol Rutten is Institutional Program Manager for Education in the Community Programs Office at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She has extensive experience in developing education programs associated with the laboratory and surrounding communities. She is a primary contact with lab scientists and mentors.
- Anthony Sena is a biologist and the first Provost at Northern New Mexico College in Española. He has a 24-year career promoting science and higher education among minority youth of New Mexico. His extensive connections in the Hispanic, education and business community of Northern New Mexico will help guide our recruitment and retention efforts.
- Aviva Sussman is Vice President, Los Alamos Women in Science, a research scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and community activist for STEM education for women and minorities. Her role is to increase access to highly qualified speakers and mentors in LANL.
- Toney Begay is Executive Director for the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program in New Mexico. MESA is a significant partner in the program, connecting the thousands of students in New Mexico in the MESA program to the Café activities.
