OUR MISSION
The mission of STEM in Action is to engage and inspire future innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs through high-quality STEM-based immersive academies and field opportunities. We work to bridge educational gaps, connecting industry partners to K12 schools to shape the future STEM workforce through strategic initiatives supporting STEM career pathways both military and civilian.
JROTC STEM Leadership Academy
The JROTC STEM Leadership Academy equips high school cadets with hands-on STEM design challenges and leadership experiences directly connecting them to real-world military and civilian career opportunities. The Academy builds teamwork, leadership, and 21st-century skills, preparing JROTC cadets to contribute to the nation’s STEM workforce.
What JROTC Cadets are Saying …
At first, working on the aircraft model was stressful, but as we used the engineering design process, we started getting better results. Instead of getting frustrated, I felt accomplished.
— 11th Grader SAVANNAH Academy
I learned that the U.S. Coast Guard is highly involved in domestic humanitarian aid with various occupations related to engineering and machine operations.
— 11th Grader SAN FRANCISCO Academy
At Northrop Grumman, we got to see up close and touch a lot of space equipment. My favorite part was getting to see the reflectors used on the James Webb space telescope. It’s a really impressive innovation, and I got to talk to people who worked on them.
— 11th Grader SAN DIEGO Academy
From what I learned this week, I’ll take the risk to get out of my comfort zone, listen to new ideas, and be open-minded by communicating and actively listening to those around me.
— 10th Grader GEORGIA Academy
We saw workers building planes at Airbus, and they were happy to talk about what they do and showed us visuals of what they were talking about.
— 9th Grader ALABAMA Academy
Failure is never failure unless you give up. You make mistakes, and it’s okay, if they are fixed. Improvement is coming. Failure is one of the best teachers.
— 11th Grader TEXAS Academy
Julie Cwikla, PhD
STEM in Action CEO and T.W. Bennett Distinguished Professor
Our CEO has led over $30 million in STEM education research and programming, developing immersive opportunities for K-20 students, teachers, and families nationwide.
Dr. Cwikla’s work includes research on JROTC cadets, STEM career pathways, math faculty professional learning, out-of-school STEM programs, technology integration, interdisciplinary lessons, and NASA-funded algae growth on Mars.
Her mission is to secure funding that advances STEM learning on national and international levels. She holds a doctorate in Mathematics Education from the University of Delaware, a master’s in Applied Mathematics from NYU, and a bachelor’s in Mathematics and Chemistry from Fairfield University. Funded by NSF, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Education, she was named the 2019 Ada Lovelace STEM Educator and has authored over 50 publications and the book Good to Great Grant Writing: Secrets to Success.
STEM in Action Board Members
STEM in Action’s Board of Directors reflects the broad reach and impact of our programs, uniting leaders from all areas of the STEM community. Our board includes flag officers, accomplished scientists, skilled engineers, dedicated educators, and public relations experts, each offering distinct perspectives and expertise. This wealth of knowledge shapes our strategy with real-world experience and a shared passion for advancing education, fueling our mission to empower the next generation of innovators and leaders.
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Vice Admiral John “Jay” Donnelly, U.S. Navy, (Ret.) is formerly corporate vice president of advanced technologies for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) where he was responsible for coordinating Independent Research and Development (IRAD) priorities and technology development. He retired from this position in July 2020.
Donnelly served 35 years in the United States Navy. A submarine officer by training, his commanding officer assignments included USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) and USS McKee (AS 41). Selected to flag rank in 2000, he served as Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN in Yokosuka, Japan and Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. His final assignment was as Commander, Submarine Forces, responsible for establishing force-wide strategies on core submarine issues such as force structure, budgetary requirements and manpower. After retiring from the Navy, Donnelly initially served as vice president with the advanced technologies group of Oceaneering International, Inc. before moving to Huntington Ingalls Industries, the nation’s largest shipbuilder.
A native of Groton, Connecticut and a second-generation submarine officer, he was a physics major and distinguished graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1975. He received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School and attended MIT Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics, International Relations, and National Interest.
Donnelly lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife of 44 years. They have three married children and a daughter-in-law who each became naval officers following college. Jay and his wife are happily accumulating grandchildren.
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Tanya Rankin, a resident of Brandon, MS, is vice president of the C Spire Foundation, which focuses on grantmaking for STEAM education including digital literacy, workforce development and improving lives through technology.
After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in marketing management and an emphasis in advertising and attending a summer studying international marketing at the London School of Economics, Tanya’s experience includes nearly three decades of public relations, brand strategy, event planning and internal branding for leading technology companies such as C Spire, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), Dataplex and SunRiver Corporation.Professional associations include the Public Relations Association of America, Mississippi Central Chapter, and the Southern Public Relations Federation. Tanya has been recognized as PRAM’s Outstanding Professional of the Year and as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Businesswomen.
Signature events include the Mississippi Science Fest presented by the C Spire Foundation which includes a week of STEM activities throughout Mississippi such as C3 Jr., a fourth grade coding challenge, and STEAMposium, a tech conference focusing on new technologies including artificial intelligence and machine learning.
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STEM in Action Board Secretary
Strategy executive with 27 years of experience driving growth, navigating complexity, and building competitive advantage. Experienced in performing statistical analyses, testing management assumptions, and building simulations to support decision-making. Recognized for impactful assessments of markets, customers, competitors, and risk; proven ability to separate the consequential & actionable from the inconsequential & impractical. Unique capacity to connect quantitative insights with historical and cultural perspectives. Excels at producing compelling graphics and narratives that enable diverse audiences to understand complex, technical issues. Proven ability to coach subordinates, creating contexts where they can accelerate development of complex skills.
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Co-Founder of the JROTC STEM Leadership Academy (est 2015)
Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1958 and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lieutenant Colonel Barrow graduated from Shaw High School in 1975 and the University of South Alabama in 1979. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Air Defense Artillery.
Lieutenant Colonel Barrow earned a Master’s Degree in Administration of Justice from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1984. In addition, he completed a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Spring Hill College in 2008. He also completed a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in 2011 from Grand Canyon University. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Armed Forces Staff College Joint and Combined Staff Officer School.
Over the course of his career, Lieutenant Colonel Barrow’s tours of duty have included command and operations assignments in various commands. His duty assignments include the 32d Army Air Defense Command in the Federal Republic of Germany, the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Headquarters Allied Forces Central Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Lieutenant Colonel Barrow retired from the Army on 1 January 2002 and immediately assumed duties as the Senior Army Instructor for the Junior ROTC program at LeFlore High School in Mobile, Alabama. After teaching in the classroom for eleven years, he was selected as the Director of Army Instruction responsible for supervising all JROTC programs in the Mobile County Public School System. He retired in August 2025 and now serves as consultant for JROTC integration in STEM and Workforce Development.
Decorations awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Barrow include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w/3 OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (w/4 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal (w/Service Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 tours), NATO Medal, and Master Parachutist Badge. He is a recipient of British, Canadian, and Honduran parachute badges and was awarded the German Rocket/Missile Qualification Badge.
Lieutenant Colonel Barrow is married to the former Cheryl K. Ellis of Daphne, Alabama. They have two daughters, Corey and Lauren.
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R&B Feder Foundation. Marketing and Development Professional.
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VP of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, Walker-Miller Energy Services. Previously, Morisette served as Chief of the Minority Business and Workforce Division at the U.S. Department of Energy, located within the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. She is a highly sought-after collaborator and co-conspirator in the clean technology space. Most recently she hails from the utility sector in safety and compliance. In 2022 she took on an additional role at Dearborn STEM Academy in Boston, Massachusetts, as a teacher to 11th and 12th graders – delivering a curriculum for engineering with energy in mind. Previously she held various roles in higher education, including enrollment services project manager, and in global transportation as the Director of Affiliate Relations. She is the former president of the Greater Boston chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.Serving as the first African American board member of the New England Women in Energy and Environment, she has been devoted to elevating and engaging women and people of color in the energy space. As a Georgia Gwinnett College Alumni Association board member and a committee member for Browning the Green Space, she has been engaged in the nonprofit and higher education space as a strong advocate for elevating minorities in the energy transition. Her passion for bringing young people into the clean energy industry has also been supported through her work with Girls Inc and Write Boston. Shalaya received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia Gwinnett College and her Master of Education from Cambridge College.
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Vice Admiral Fred Midgette retired from the Coast Guard in 2018 after 36 years of service. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Military Officers Association of America, the U.S. Naval Institute, and as a Senior Advisor with The Chertoff Group.
Notable assignments included Commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Forces West, Deputy Commandant for Operations, Commander of the 9 the Coast Guard District, and military advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
A career Cutterman, he served afloat in seven cutters (commanding four) and a Spruance Class Destroyer earning designation as a Coast Guard Cutterman and a Navy Surface Warfare Officer. He was the 14th Gold Ancient Mariner of the Coast Guard. He is the father, son and grandson of Coast Guardsmen.
He served in joint assignments at U.S. Northern Command, the legacy U.S. Customs Service, as Executive Director of The Interdiction Committee in Washington DC, and on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, he holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a M.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
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Dr. Nashlie Sephus is the Principal AI/ML Evangelist for Amazon AI focusing on fairness and identifying biases at AWS AI. She formerly was CTO of AI startup Partpic based in Atlanta which was acquired by the Amazon Visual Search team. After then joining Amazon as an Applied Science Manager, she led many product launches including visual search for replacement parts on the Amazon Shopping app in June 2018. Also in 2018, Dr. Sephus became the founder and CEO of The Bean Path non-profit organization based in Jackson, MS assisting individuals and startups with technical expertise and guidance. In September of 2020, she became the owner and developer of the Jackson Tech District—21-acres of mixed-use commercial real-estate in downtown Jackson—to bring tech training and workforce/economic development to the area.
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Mr. Flottman is a sole practitioner with 25 years of experience advising government contractors in the defense and healthcare sectors, with a focus on federal contracts, compliance, investigations, and bankruptcy/restructuring matters.
He has a deep background with Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, DFARS, HHSARS, Navy and industrial environment, and healthcare administration. He’s spearheaded arguments for successful CPARS appeals, led in-house bankruptcy practice nationally at a major defense contractor, and assisted a major federal fraud prosecution. He is a licensed attorney in Mississippi and a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School.
In addition to compensated work he serves as pro bono general counsel and board member for nonprofit startups in International Development and Energy Transition/Atmospheric Conservation.
CORE Program Elements
RESEARCH-DRIVEN APPROACH
Investigate questions of national and international significance in STEM education
Bring research funds into regions to improve STEM learning opportunities
Design transformative educational programs that enhance learning at all levels
Build partnerships that work collaboratively to illuminate STEM career pathways both military and civilian
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Develop community and industry relationships that support STEM learning opportunities
Create engaging STEM learning experiences for all
Develop interdisciplinary programs that inspire future innovators
Support educational development through cutting-edge research and technology
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS
Out-of-school STEM programs for students, teachers and military cadre
Interdisciplinary curriculum development and design for in-school exploration
Support for emerging STEM professionals, illuminating access points and career opportunities
Professional learning for educators and students on location through internships and STEM research experiences
About our company
STEM in Action is a dynamic non-profit corporation dedicated to transforming STEM education and creating opportunities for all students. Our application for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is currently under review by the IRS.
STEM in Action operates at the intersection of innovative learning, community partnerships and educational empowerment.
We design, implement, evaluate and research entire programs for the region and the nation but we also assist scientists with their individual broader impacts co-developing creative ways to bring STEM content to more learners.
1803 Government Street Ocean Springs, MS 39564
info@STEMinAction.org
