Professorial fit: perceptions of engineering postdoctoral scholars

Sylvia L. Mendez holds a PhD and is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Leadership, Research and Foundations at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She is engaged in several National Science Foundation-sponsored projects focused on broadening participation in STEM academia. Her research centers on the creation of optimal higher education policies and practices that advance faculty careers and student success and the schooling experiences of Mexican descent youth in the mid-20th century.

Sarah E. Cooksey holds a PhD and is a Research Assistant and Lecturer at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in the College of Education. Additionally, she is a special education teacher in Colorado Springs. Her research interests include educational access and equity for marginalized populations, inclusive practices and community engagement.

Kathryn E. Starkey holds a MA and is a PhD Candidate at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Educational Leadership, Research and Policy. She serves as the Adult Learning Lead Specialist at Colorado State University-Pueblo. Her research interests include higher education policy and program evaluation, prior learning assessment and educational programming for incarcerated students.

Valerie Martin Conley holds a PhD and is a Professor and Dean of the College of Education at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She is engaged in several National Science Foundation-sponsored collaborative research projects focused on broadening participation in engineering academia. Her research centers on quantitative applications of educational policy and research, assessment practice and issues of leadership and management in higher education.