DUO MFA IS HERE!

Dr. Jennifer Miller-Ray is a cognitive scientist specializing in STEM literacy and an associate professor in the Education Department at Sul Ross State University. Her extensive contributions to literacy and makerspace initiatives include collaborations with prominent institutions such as the Perot Museum, Kennedy Space Center, NASA STEM camps, Indigenous Education Institute, public libraries, and over 30 public schools. Dr. Miller-Ray has also developed Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) through Canvas's Open Network, showcasing NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Education Outreach programs via mobile makerspace projects.

Dr. Miller-Ray is the principal investigator for the NSF-funded Noyce Scholars en la Frontera grant and leads the La Frontera STEM Lab, a mobile makerspace developed in partnership with the Science Mill Museum in Johnson City, Texas. Additionally, she serves as a co-principal investigator for UTSA's Total Eclipses in the Heart of Texas NSF project, where she connects the Noyce program and local schools with educational outreach opportunities for the 2023-2024 solar eclipse events. She was also selected as the Citizen CATE Southwest Texas Eclipse Coordinator and received a $10,000 American Astronomical Society mini-grant to support outreach and education for the 2024 total eclipse.

Recently, Dr. Miller-Ray was awarded the NSF Creating and Sustaining Noyce Mentors en la Frontera capacity grant. She is leading efforts to design a Track 3 graduate Noyce program and organize STEM camps in the Midland, Big Bend, and Middle Rio Grande regions.

Dr. Miller-Ray’s excellence in teaching has been recognized with several honors, including the 2023 Outstanding Teacher Award at Sul Ross State University. She was also nominated for the prestigious Piper Professor Award in 2024 and the Texas State System Outstanding Professor Award. In addition to her academic roles, she advises the Texas State Teachers Aspiring Educators student club, serves as a Baptist Student Ministry advisor, and is secretary of the Faculty Assembly.