Devan Jones, Ph.D.

Devan earned her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a focus on science education from Clemson University in August 2024. Originally from Wyoming, she holds a bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University, both with a specialization in Creative Arts. Her professional experience spans teaching in various grades and subjects, including STEM, technology facilitation, and reading recovery. Devan is also active in educational research, with work specifically focusing on multiple facets of rural education.

Devan  is currently a postdoc funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) STEM Education Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (STEM Ed PRF) Program solicitation (22-531) through the development of Institute for Measurement MEthodology in Rural STEM Education-Postdoctoral Research Fellows program (IMMERSE-PRF), a comprehensive, innovative program for training postdoctoral researchers to actively engage in STEM education research. IMMERSE-PRF implements a two-year training program for two rural postdoctoral scholars, to produce transdisciplinary scholars who are: well-positioned to study rural STEM education and workforce development; to measure and address barriers and protective factors unique to and/or operant within rural communities as it relates to STEM education and workforce development; and, able to conduct high-quality, rigorous studies in STEM education and workforce development to influence local, state, and/or federal policy and practice.Devan is passionate about project management and curriculum development for rural areas. She is particularly interested in creating educational solutions tailored to rural communities and fostering connections between rural institutions.

Email: Devanj@mailbox.sc.edu

Ross Ramsey, Ph.D.

Ross Ramsey is a postdoctoral scholar in the Institute for Measurement Methodology in Rural STEM Education (IMMERSE) program in the College of Education. He received his Ph.D. in Education from the Learning Sciences and Psychological Studies program in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ross taught informal science education programs at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for five years before becoming a high school math teacher in rural North Carolina.

Ross is currently a postdoc funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) STEM Education Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (STEM Ed PRF) Program solicitation (22-531) through the development of Institute for Measurement MEthodology in Rural STEM Education-Postdoctoral Research Fellows program (IMMERSE-PRF), a comprehensive, innovative program for training postdoctoral researchers to actively engage in STEM education research. IMMERSE-PRF implements a two-year training program for three rural postdoctoral scholars, to produce transdisciplinary scholars who are: well-positioned to study rural STEM education and workforce development; to measure and address barriers and protective factors unique to and/or operant within rural communities as it relates to STEM education and workforce development; and, able to conduct high-quality, rigorous studies in STEM education and workforce development to influence local, state, and/or federal policy and practice.

Ross’s research interests primarily center around equity in both formal and informal STEM learning settings, though he is also interested in the application of advanced statistical analysis approaches in other educational research contexts.

Email: jr225@mailbox.sc.edu