On December 18th, NOVA Alexandria Campus STEM Education Outreach Coordinator Jim Egenrieder was recognized for Outstanding Service at the Arlington Chamber’s Board of Directors meeting. Mr. Egenrieder has served as Chair of the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Committee since 2011, and has developed partnerships between local area schools, businesses and higher education partners to advance STEM-focused education, training, dual enrollment, and workforce programs throughout Northern Virginia. 
Mr. Egenrieder also serves as co-Chair of the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Workforce and Education Committee.
“In all of my STEM initiatives and outreach roles, I look for opportunities to foster new awareness and interest in all aspects of STEM education. This includes integration not only among the STEM disciplines, but also interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects involving the visual and performing arts, social sciences, English and world languages, and physical education,” states Jim Egenrieder.
Mr. Egenrieder continues to promote the importance and emerging themes of sustainability, energy and power, natural resources and the environment, and growing economies, sighting there are abundant opportunities for business and community-partnerships in integrative project-based teaching and learning. Most importantly, these integrated approaches lead to the most meaningful and transformative experiences for students that provide for self-actualization, resilience, a sense of belonging, and a craving for lifelong learning.
“I really want everyone to recognize the role of community colleges and specifically NOVA in STEM education and workforce partnerships,” said Mr. Egenrieder. “We can help good ideas get implemented, help good programs become great, and help great programs get recognition and become replicable and transferable.”
He invites any interested NOVA personnel with STEM interests to connect with him in person or on LinkedIn, and together, we can make good things happen for students and the community.