Founder and Executive Director of STEM Greenhouse, a nonprofit organization that fervently believes if you plant the seed in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and nurture the resulting curiosity, CHILDREN WILL FLOURISH!! My interest in math and science began with the excellent education I received in Grand Rapids Public Schools. I received a full scholarship to the HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and continued to the University of Illinois where I received a masters and a PhD in Agricultural Engineering. I am only the third Black woman to ever receive a PhD in Agricultural Engineering in the world. I was often the only woman or person of color in a sea of white male faces in all my classes. This led to feelings of disconnectedness, loneliness, and alienation. Because of these experiences I promised that one day, I would try to personally make it easier for students of color to succeed in STEM education, pursue STEM careers, and feel supported in a way that had been absent for me. This is what I know to be true.- Relationships are as important as curriculum in urban K-12 education. - One person can change generations by influencing the life of a child. 2024 Governor's Service Award for Youth Impact awarded to STEM Greenhouse2024 Iota Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Guiding Light Award2024 Woman of the Year Brilliance Award, West Michigan Woman Magazine2023 Role Model Education Award, Greater Grand Rapids NAACP2023 Distinguished Alumni Award, North Carolina A&T State University 2023 Nolan Groce Business Leadership Award, Urban League of West Michigan2021 Celebration of Soul Dr. Malinda Sapp Legacy Award, Grand Rapids Symphony 2020 Brilliance Award Winner in the Social Change Agent Category, West Michigan Woman Magazine 2020 Betty Van Andel Teacher of Excellence Award2020 Inforum Honoree2015 Giants Award Recipient - Milo Brown Business Award2015 Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 Under 40Donate to STEM Greenhouse and invest in our community's children today! https://stemgreenhouse.org/donate/Listen to Shelley Irwin's interview with Dr. Keli Christopher on the Powerful Woman Podcast, https://www.wgvunews.org/podcast/powerful-women-lets-talk/2023-03-06/powerful-women-lets-talk-112-dr-keli-christopher
Listed skills include Public Speaking, Nonprofits, Teaching, Strategic Planning, and 12 others.
