Stephanie Danette Preston, PhD, leads The Pennsylvania State University Graduate School’s efforts to advance diversity and foster a welcoming climate for underrepresented groups as Senior Director of the Office of Graduate Educational Equity Programs (OGEEP).
Dr. Preston is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended Xavier University of Louisiana where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology (Chemistry) and Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Science education respectively. Upon completing her Master’s degree, Dr. Preston relocated to State College to pursue a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Science Education at The Pennsylvania State University.
Prior to assuming her role as Senior Director, Dr. Preston worked as a consultant for the Educational Testing Service, served as a National Science Foundation/Math-Science Partnership (NSF/MSP) Postdoctoral Scholar in the College of Education, served as the Assistant Director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and worked as a high school teacher in Louisiana. Her current research interest focuses on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.