International faculty visit MVCC to explore innovative STEM education practices
Strengthening STEM education through global collaboration at MVCC
Mohawk Valley Community College last week welcomed three faculty members from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) in the Dominican Republic to explore MVCC’s innovative approach to strengthening education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Back row, from left: Dr. Shahida Dar, Interim Dean, MVCC School of STEM Transfer; Jennifer DeWeerth, Dean of the MVCC Rome Campus and Community Outreach; Dr. Randall J. VanWagoner, President of MVCC; Jake Mihevc, Assistant Vice President of Learning and Academic Affairs at MVCC; and Dr. Todd Marshall, Executive Director of Equity and Inclusion at MVCC.
Dr. Gladys R. Nunez, Dr. Rosa Almonte, and Dr. Reina A. Raveras — all mathematicians and part of UASD’s STEAM Education Project — visited MVCC in Utica on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 4 and 5, 2025, as part of a UASD training program aimed at strengthening professors’ skills in implementing active, innovative, and contextualized methodologies from a STEM perspective. While on campus, they engaged in a series of activities to highlight MVCC’s approach to STEM education and initiatives to enhance faculty skills. The visit included:
- Tours of MVCC’s science laboratories and discussions about future facility developments.
- Discussion of STEM pedagogy, engagement strategies, and the strengths of MVCC’s Engineering and Engineering Technology programs.
- A tour of the Learning Commons with discussion on teaching methodologies and integrated learning supports in mathematics.
- A tour of the College-Community-Connection office, which helps students deal with non-academic challenges (like food insecurity and homelessness) so they can focus on completing their educational goals.
- Tours of technology and fabrication labs paired with conversations on pedagogy and applied learning.
- Discussion on non-credit to credit pathways, including MVCC’s free FastTrack career program.
- Training approaches in advanced manufacturing education.
MVCC faculty and staff also shared best practices, teaching resources, and innovative pedagogical models that have been developed to support student success and faculty excellence.
“This exchange underscores the importance of collaboration across borders to advance STEM education,” said Dr. Randall J. VanWagoner, President of MVCC. “We are proud to showcase the work being done at MVCC to strengthen teaching and learning, and to learn from our colleagues at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo.”
The visit reflects MVCC’s commitment to global engagement and to preparing students for the demands of a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. For more information on MVCC and its programs, visit www.mvcc.edu.
