Vanessa Atkins, M.S, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus (formerly Philadelphia University), her Masters of Science degree in secondary science education from Drexel University and a Teaching in Higher Education certificate from Temple University. She has been serving youth and young adults in formal and informal education settings for over twenty years. Through her experiences in museum education at The Franklin Institute and the Adventure Aquarium she developed a love for education. Ms. Atkins gained experience in formal education as a Chemistry teacher in the Philadelphia Public School Systemand also taught an introductory course in the Petrochemical Science shop for a program sponsored by Sunoco. In addition, she continues to serve as an adjunct professor in Temple University’s School of Education. She has written and managed a variety of federal and state grant funded programs designed to improve student access to and success in higher education and continues to do that work at Rowan University School Of Osteopathic Medicine as an advisor to students at various levels of their education