LASTEM Advisory Council
During the 2017 legislative session, the legislature approved ACT 392 to create the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LASTEM) Advisory Council. Under the leadership of the Louisiana Board of Regents, the LASTEM Advisory Council shall:
- Create and provide with respect to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund,
- Provide for a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics high school diploma endorsement, and
- Provide for related matters.
Advisory Council Meetings
Meetings meeting may be viewed live.
2025 Quarterly Meetings
- February 6, 2025, 10:00 AM – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- May 1, 2025, 10:00 AM – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- August 27, 2025, 10:00 AM – Agenda | Minutes (pending approval) | Presentation
- November 5, 2025 10:00 AM
- Location: 1201 N. Third St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802, Claiborne Building, Iowa Room (Rm 1-153)
2024 Quarterly Meetings
- February 22, 2024 –Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- June 19, 2024 – Cancelled due to the proclamation for the Juneteenth holiday
- August 15, 2024 – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- November 14, 2024 – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
2023 Quarterly Meetings
- December 7, 2023 – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- August 10, 2023 – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- April 20, 2023 – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- January 31, 2023 – Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
2022 Quarterly Meetings
- November 17, 2022 — Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- August 18, 2022 — Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- April 28, 2022 — Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
- January 20, 2022 — Agenda | Minutes | Presentation
2021 Quarterly Meetings
- November 10, 2021 — Minutes | Presentation
- August 18, 2021 — Minutes | Presentation
- May 13, 2021 — Minutes | Presentation
- February 10, 2021 — Minutes
2020 Quarterly Meetings
- November 10, 2020 — Minutes
- October 6, 2020 — Minutes
- May 20, 2020 — Minutes
- February 13, 2020 — Minutes
2019 Quarterly Meetings
- November 20, 2019 — Minutes
- August 21, 2019 — Minutes
- June 20, 2019 — Minutes
- February 27, 2019 — Minutes
2018 Monthly Meetings
- January 10, 2018 — Minutes
- February 7, 2018 — Minutes
- March 13, 2018 — Minutes
- April 12, 2018 — Minutes
- May 16, 2018 — Minutes
- June 12, 2018 — Minutes
- July 18, 2018 — Minutes
- August 15, 2018 — Minutes
- October 16, 2018 — Minutes
2017 Monthly Meetings
- September 13, 2017 — Minutes
- October 18, 2017 — Minutes
- November 28, 2017 — Minutes
- December 13, 2017 — Minutes
Regional STEM Center Network
The Louisiana Regional STEM Center Network is a system of STEM leadership entities strategically positioned across Louisiana, similar to the Regional Labor Market Areas (RLMAs) identified by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, whereby communities, parishes, multi-parish regions, and the State can achieve improved access to STEM education, participation, and advancement. This includes closing the opportunity gap for underrepresented and underserved populations to engage in Louisiana’s STEM workforce and economy. Existing and developing STEM activities will often span one or more STEM Regions. Regions will share information, work together, and be interconnected by coordinating resources, which can also provide a gateway to other networks and initiatives. The Regional STEM Networks and Centers are connected with and serve the statewide LASTEM Advisory Council.
View the Regional Network
Annual Reports
- 2018 LASTEM Status Report
- 2019 LASTEM Status Report
- 2020 LASTEM Status Report
- 2021 LASTEM Status Report
- 2022 LASTEM Status Report
- 2023 LASTEM Status Report
- 2024 LASTEM Status Report
- 2025 LASTEM Status Report
Educator Resources
Nepris for Classrooms
Over 26 million jobs in the US require a high level of knowledge in at least one STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field. Expose your students to careers by providing them an opportunity to speak live with professionals who apply STEM concepts in their everyday careers. Nepris virtual connections help students make more informed decisions about college and careers. Whether it’s a civil engineer, a surgeon, or an app developer, Nepris brings professionals to your classroom via video conference, making STEM content come to life so that every day can be a career day! Louisiana teachers have hosted over 750 live interactions to date – join your fellow teachers in making connections that last a lifetime.
GNO STEM
GNO STEM provides K-12 math and science teachers with the tools and resources they need to deliver hands-on, minds-on learning opportunities in the classroom. GNO STEM’s teacher professional development programs ensure that students receive the rigorous and enriched classroom instruction they need to encourage critical thinking and ultimately foster student proficiency and interest in STEM subjects and careers.
More Information about GNO STEM
Project Lead The Way
Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning. Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning. PLTW Launch (K-5), PLTW Gateway (6-8), PLTW Computer Science (9-12), PLTW Engineering (9-12), PLTW Biomedical Science (9-12). Project Lead The Way (PLTW) currently partners with 80 schools across 20 Parishes in Louisiana to implement 5 comprehensive STEM programs for students in grades K-12. These programs include K-12 pathways in Engineering, Computer Science, and Biomedical Science.
More Information about Project Lead The Way
STEM Diversity Professional Organizations
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Louisiana Women in Technology (LAWIT)
Student Resources
Robotics
Sponsored STEM Programs
STEM for Girls and Women
National Girls Collaborative Project
Esports
Advisory Council Members
| Name | Title/Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Dr. Kim Hunter Reed | Commissioner of Higher Education, Louisiana Board of Regents |
| Senator Beth Mizell | Louisiana State Senate, District 12 |
| Dr. Clint Coleman | LASTEM and Cybersecurity Program Administrator |
| Dr. Francesca Mellieon-Williams | Associate Professor of Science and Mathematics Education, Southern University and A&M College |
| Larry Carter | President, United Teachers of New Orleans |
| Jamie Mixon | Louisiana Department of Education Representative |
| Dr. Bianca Deliberto | Louisiana Science Teachers Association Representative |
| Emily DiPalma | Louisiana Workforce Commission Representative |
| Dr. Frank Neubrander | Louisiana State University System Representative |
| Camille Ivy-O’Donnell Bentin | Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Representative |
| Kassie Cusachs | Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Representative |
| Crystal Williams Gordon | Louisiana Association of Educators Representative, East Baton Rouge Public Schools |
| Richard Vath | University of Louisiana System Representative |
| Representative Vincent “Vinney” St. Blanc III | Louisiana House of Representatives |
| Jolen Stein | Economic Development Representative, BASF |
| Ronnie Morris | Member, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) |
| Dr. Calvin Mackie | Governor Appointee |
| Kaneisha Bailey Akinpelumi | Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU) Representative, Xavier University of Louisiana |
| Christen Timmins | Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics (LATM) Representative |
| Robin Cosenza | Louisiana School Boards Association Representative |
| Mark Bond | Louisiana Economic Development Representative, LED FastStart |
| Taya Loupe | Louisiana Association of Principals Representative |
| Dr. Lealon Martin | Dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering, Southern University and A&M College |
| Dr. Wendi Palermo | Louisiana Community & Technical College System Representative |
| Blake Bertuccelli-Booth | Economic Development Representative, Equalify |
| Dr. Suresh Chiruguru | Governor Appointee |
| Tom Yura | Economic Development Representative, Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc. |
| David St. Etienne | Workforce Investment Council (WIC) Representative |
| Dr. David Lafargue | Executive Director for Workforce Solution, SOWELA Technical Community College |
| Sara Wolfe | Governor Appointee |
Regional STEM Centers
| Region | Awarding Institution | Center Name | Center Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) | Daphine Barnes | ||
| Region 2 | Louisiana State University | Summer Dann | ||
| Region 3 | Fletcher Technical Community College | Christie Landry | ||
| Region 4 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Angela Boxie | ||
| Region 5 | Calcasieu Parish School Board | Mark Arseneault | ||
| Region 6 | Northwestern State University | Jennifer DePriest | ||
| Region 7 | Bossier Parish Community College | Dr. Heather Kleiner | ||
| Region 8 | Louisiana Tech University | Cathi Cox-Boniol | ||
| Region 9 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Jordan Smith-Kenning | [email protected] |
Educate, Innovate, and Collaborate
The Master Plan
To move Louisiana aggressively forward, the Board of Regents has embraced a robust new attainment goal that calls for 60% of all working-age adults (ages 25-64) in Louisiana to hold a degree or high-value credential by 2030. As we stand on the brink of a new decade, this Master Plan, born of the Board of Regents’ unique charge to guide postsecondary education across the state, will set the foundation to increase opportunity. Our Talent Imperative is to Educate, Innovate, and Collaborate