As the Partner Program Manager at Beyond100K, Ileana is responsible for leading the planning and implementation of the organization’s network programs. As a member of the Community Team, she ensures that partners within the Beyond100K network have an abundance of opportunities to engage with and learn from each other, fostering their commitment to equity, representation, and belonging in STEM teaching and learning.
Ileana has worked in academia for 16 years, specializing in STEM and engineering education research and programming for the past five years. She’s developed engineering education academic programs focused on human-centered design learning, interdisciplinary engineering, and broadening the participation of underrepresented learners in STEM. She also assisted in managing several National Science Foundation-funded research projects centered on STEM education at Minority-serving institutions, K-12 enrichment programming, and pedagogical best practices for STEM teaching and learning.
Ileana is passionate about both education and community development. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in public administration from Florida International University, with a focus on non-profit and community development. Though a Miami native, she currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL, with her dinosaur and Lego fanatic son, and is an art and foodie enthusiast.