New Assistant Professor Focuses on STEM Education

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Cynthia Orona

Cynthia Orona, an assistant professor of childhood education, joined the faculty of the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas this fall.

Orona received a doctorate in professional education studies from Oklahoma State University and formerly taught reading, math and science to elementary and middle school students for more than 11 years.

She has made national conference presentations on research she conducted at OSU on a National Science Foundation-funded program called the SIGNALS Project. The three-year longitudinal research project examined and promoted interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields among American Indian children.

She was supported by Science Scholars: the Native American Path, a program also funded by the NSF to promote American Indian students in STEM careers and allow students the opportunity to attend the national Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science conference to present research and network with fellow Chicano and Native American colleagues.  The model program was funded for three years and Orona participated in the initial year of that program before graduating and coming to Arkansas.