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Luce Fellows

HERS and the Henry Luce Foundation proudly recognize Luce Fellows, an accomplished group of leaders shaping the future of STEM in higher education. This page showcases awarded Luce Fellows, honoring their roles, institutions, and the strength of each cohort.

Who are Luce Fellows?

Luce Fellows are leaders who hold a terminal degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline or a professional appointment within a STEM field (excluding the social, health, and medical sciences) and have been awarded funding to attend the HERS Leadership Institute (HLI). These individuals have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion within the higher education workforce.

Aditi Pai

Vice Provost and Chief of Staff​
Spelman College​

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2026

Alice Baldridge

Dean of Science and Engineering​
St. Mary’s College of California​

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2026

Chavonda Mills

Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs/Provost
Georgia Gwinnett College

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Denver, CO
2016

Cyndee Gruden

Dean, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
University of New Hampshire

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Denver, CO
2023

Jeanine Myers

Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
Arkansas Tech University

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
2025

Jennifer McCloud-Mann

Dean and Professor
University of Washington, Bothell​

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2026

Kathy Lu

Professor and Chair
University of Alabama at Birmingham

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2025

Kristin Herrmann

Department Head and Professor of Biological Sciences
Tarleton State University

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2025

LaTasha Taylor Starr

Professor of Practice (Engineering)
Dallas College

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
2025

Laura Frost

Associate Dean/Professor of Chemistry
Florida Gulf Coast University

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Airlie, Warrenton, VA
2025

Megan Wise de Valdez

Chair of Natural Sciences
Texas A&M University – San Antonio

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2025

Nicole Williams

Dean of Science and Engineering​
Winona State University​

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2026

Orit Shaer

Professor and Co-Chair of Computer Science
Wellesley College

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Denver, CO
2023

Petra Dekens

Executive Director​
San José State University​

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2026

Rebecca Thomas

Interim Dean of Science, Engineering, & Technology
Montgomery College

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Airlie, Warrenton, VA
2024

Reem Jaafar

Dean for Institutional Effectiveness
Queensborough Community College, CUNY

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
2025

Stephanie Luster-Teasley

Dean, College of Engineering
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Denver, CO
2018

Tara Kishbaugh

Dean of Faculty and Student Success​
Eastern Mennonite University​

HERS Leadership Institute (HLI)

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
2026