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Catherine Cohan, Ph.D. has been a research psychologist for over 20 years. Her areas of expertise include engineering education, retention of underrepresented students, measurement, and assessment. She is currently an Assistant Research Professor and coordinates the Sustainable Bridges NSF IUSE project (Peter Butler, PI). Previously, she was the project coordinator the the Toys'n MORE NSF STEP project (Renata Engel, PI).

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Dr. Griggs received her B.S. in Engineering Science, with a concentration in Nanomedicine from The University of Virginia in 2012. As a doctoral student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Griggs was awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral Fellowship through the National Institute of Health. As the Program Coordinator for the VCU Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program, she worked to increase the number of underrepresented minority students earning baccalaureate degrees and matriculating to graduate school. As a postdoctoral scholars at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Griggs explored novel techniques to investigate the intersection of diabetes and breast cancer progression. Dr. Griggs is now an Assistant Teaching Professor, Director of the Multicultural Engineering Program and Director of the Clark Scholars Program at Penn State University. In this role, Dr. Griggs drives initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups pursuing degrees in engineering and strives to foster a welcoming environment that celebrates culture and inclusion. Her passion lies in working directly with students, serving as an advisor, inspiring others through meaningful career discussions and helping others to gain confidence as well as succeed in their chosen degree fields.

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Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics

Research Interests:
First Year Engineering Student Success, summer bridge programs
Mathematics retention of underrepresented minority students
Conceptual Understanding, mathematical situation models
Hybrid learning, instructional technology
Early Algebra, textbook analysis

MS Applied Statistics
PhD Mathematics & Science Education

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Mark W. Johnson is Professor of Mathematics with primary research areas in Algebraic Topology and Category Theory, as
well as an ongoing interest in preparing future engineers, especially those from under-represented groups, for the mathematical challenges inherent in their chosen degree.

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Michael (Mike) Kagan is an associate professor of physics at Penn State Abington. He received a Ph.D. in Physics from the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Kagan's research interests are diverse and include Quantum Gravity and Cosmology, Physical Applications of Graph Theory, as well as Physics Education. Dr. Kagan has over twenty years of experience teaching math, physics and astronomy at middle, high school and university level. For the last several years, he has implemented Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) in his classes. Dr. Kagan has been an AP Physics Reader (grader) and a coach for the National Physics Team.

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Professor Tonya Peeples joined the Penn State College of Engineering in August of 2018, as the Inaugural Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion and Professor of Chemical Engineering. Prior to joining Penn State she worked at the University of Iowa and in her 23 years at UI, served to advance diversity and promote opportunities for all students to pursue education and careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). As an individual researcher, an administrator and as a leader in the state and national community, Dr. Peeples has made an impact on improving access to STEM careers through personal commitment, local partnerships, institutional leadership and effective collaboration.
Dr. Peeples is biochemical engineering researcher and served as Associate Director of the UI Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing and on the coordinating committee for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant in biotechnology. As a Professor, she has mentored a diverse group of high school, undergraduate and graduate students including three high school students, 64 undergraduate and 13 graduate students, and three postdoctoral fellows. Several of her graduate and undergraduate student researchers have won local, regional and national awards for their work.
Dr. Peeples is influencing faculty and institutional leaders through leadership in the Aspire Alliance, an NSF INCLUDES collaborative effort. On her academic leadership roles she has implemented search committee training on implicit bias and best practices for recruiting diverse faculty. As a leader in the University Center for Exemplary Mentoring funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, she trains faculty in mentoring minority students. These activities are “game changers” in helping engineering programs enhance enrollment growth and increasing numbers of women and minority students, faculty and staff. She has established collaborations to extend a welcoming environment to all students. She has received numerous awards for service to the local state and national STEM communities, including Outstanding Service Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Minority Affairs Committee, the Collegiate Service Award from the UI CoE, the Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty Excellence in Service, the UI Diversity Catalyst Award. In 2015 she was the recipient of the Pioneers of Diversity Award from AIChE. In 2016 she was a fellow of the Executive Leadership in Academic Technology and Engineering and Sciences (ELATES) program. She is a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.

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