This year, as part of our five year national expansion grant from the National Science Foundation, Techbridge is launching a hub in Washington, DC, to bring after-school programs to girls in some of the most under-resourced communities in America and strengthen our position to influence the national agenda around science, technology, and engineering programs for girls. We are pleased to welcome Meeta Sharma-Holt as our Washington, DC Executive Director. Meeta is overseeing preparations to launch programs at select DC schools this fall 2015, and currently seeking STEM companies to host field trips, women STEM professionals to serve as role models, and individuals to serve on our Washington, DC Advisory council.
Meeta brings more than 20 years of experience designing and managing out-of-school-time programs and developing organizations. A graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work, Meeta began her career developing corporate mentoring programs and managing multi-site after-school and summer programs in New York City. In the Washington, DC area, she worked with the DC Trust and developed a citywide model of after-school program delivery called Project My Time that is now implemented throughout DC Public Schools. She has also assisted over 20 charter school sites to develop their after-school services, and consulted with small nonprofits to develop programs for children.
“It’s exciting to bring Techbridge to the DC community,” said Meeta. “Washington, DC is a uniquely complex system with a lot of underserved students, and yet a lot of players working hard to give them a quality education. In addition to inspiring girls directly, I hope Techbridge can help foster collaboration among youth-serving organizations and convene some important discussions around what’s really working to transform opportunities for girls.”
Under Meeta’s leadership, planning for the launch has already begun through a marketing campaign, high level meetings with school leaders, and outreach to local funders. We are also excited to be looking for business and community leaders to be involved in our Washington, DC Advisory Council. If you, or someone you know, is interested in this opportunity, please contact Meeta.
Field trips and role models are critical components of the Techbridge program. If you know of a STEM company in the Washington, DC area that might consider hosting a field trip of 20-30 middle school or high school girls, or a woman STEM professional who might consider serving as a role model, please contact Rachel Wold. More information about field trips and role models can be found on the Techbridge website.