Greater Spokane Incorporated announced today that it has begun leading the day-to-day operations of the Spokane STEM Network, a nonprofit organization that works to advance science, technology, engineering, and math learning and innovation.
Alisha Benson, GSI’s vice president of education and workforce, will assume the role of executive director of Spokane STEM, succeeding Anne Marie Axworthy, who has served as interim director the past year.
Rich Hadley, GSI’s president and CEO, said in a press release, “There are natural similarities between GSI’s work-based education programs and Spokane STEM because of the increase in importance of STEM-based careers. The business and education communities are already well connected, and this integration can help create new connections.”
The GSI board of trustees recently adopted a community goal of raising educational attainment in Spokane County to 60 percent of adults having earned a two-year degree or higher by 2025. Currently, that number hovers around 43 percent.