An Interview with Tina Moore
February 29, 2008 | 
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Tina Moore is the Director of Student Support at the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She creates and manages programs that support students with scholarships, internships, experiential and managerial learning. She also interfaces with engineering alumni and students in elementary, middle and secondary schools.
CSR+: You have been working with students of science and engineering for almost ten years. How do you like working with such students? What are certain things you do to make the students’ educational experience more productive and more enjoyable?
TM: I have been here for more than years and I truly enjoy working with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) students. I have been trying to incorporate experiential learning into their educational experience. For example, the Engineering Challenge, our Middle School outreach, where we have hundreds of middle school students visit the university for exciting competitions, is very hands-on. Students have the opportunity to be creative and design things while learning valuable STEM principles. I think it is much more fun to do things than to sit and listen to a lecture.
CSR+: In the College of Engineering at UCCS as well across the nation the percentage of minority students, particularly African-American, is small, compared to the population as large. What do you think are the reasons? Can you suggest some ways in which the situation can be improved?
TM: I think part of the reason for the low numbers is a lack of mentors and role models. It is hard for individuals to see themselves engineers if they see no one who looks like them in engineering fields. Creating a new generation of role models will help those who are going through STEM disciplines to stay encouraged and finish the programs.
CSR+: Can you tell us more about the Society of Women Engineers? What are the missions, goals, and activities of the group? How are you involved with this organization?
TM: The Mission of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is to "stimulate women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity." I have been the staff advisor for SWE since I started working at UCCS. SWE is a very active group and I usually just sit back and let them go. They are always busy doing something within the community.
CSR+: You are also involved with an organization called NSBE?. What is this organization? Can you tell us more about this organization and your involvement in it?
TM: NSBE is the National Society of Black Engineers and their mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. NSBE has over 24,000 members nationwide and is one of the largest student-managed groups in the country. I became involved with NSBE as an undergrad at Lehigh University, and I remain committed to the ideals and values of the organization. I have been the advisor for the UCCS chapter of NSBE since about 1998 when we started the chapter on this campus.
CSR+: What are other student- and profession-oriented organizations you are associated with? What are some offices you have or activities you carry out on the behalf of these organizations?
TM: I have been the advisor for several student groups over the years, including the Black Student Union, the UNIQUE Step and Dance Team, SHPE: the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Student Diversity Committee.
I have also served on campus committees like the Diversity Alliance Committee (DAC), the Recognition and Rewards Committee, the Student Affairs Committee, and numerous campus search committees. I have been a member of NSBE, SWE, the International Code Conference (ICC), and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Science (INFORMS).
CSR+: You are involved with a large project called Colorado CO-AMP. Please tell us more about this project, how it is funded, and what it does.
TM: CO-AMP is the Colorado Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and it is a consortium of 14 campuses and four Native Tribes in Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. The consortium is led by Dr. Omnia El-Hakim from Colorado State University and funded by the National Science Foundation. The Alliance’s mission is, to double the number of historically and currently under-represented American Indian, African-American, Hispanic and Pacific Islander students earning bachelor’s degrees in STEM disciplines. The consortium is in its third five-year phase. (It will soon be 15 years old.)
One of the great things that CO-AMP is doing this year is the Bridge to Doctorate Program (BDP). This graduate program aims to build well-qualified, highly competitive STEM education and research scholars who enter the professoriate and become role models for other diverse, underrepresented groups. The scholarship includes $30,000 per year for two years plus $10,500 per year for two years to cover tuition, books, fees, and other educational expenses. The BDP includes mentoring, seminars, workshops, and many other great opportunities for graduate students. For more information, go to www.coamp.colostate.edu/files/BD.
CSR+: Thanks so much for your time!
TM: My pleasure.
- J
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