College of DuPage names Dr. Jennifer Cumpston as Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
With a substantial background in science, education, education administration and leadership, Jennifer Cumpston is perfectly positioned to be the new Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) at College of DuPage.
"I am thrilled with the opportunity to begin this new role at College of DuPage," she said. "STEM education offers so much to today's students. Aside from a huge demand in the workforce, there are so many everyday life skills gained through STEM classes. Even non-STEM students benefit significantly from taking basic general education STEM classes; mathematical literacy, the scientific method and critical thinking are just a few of the many skills students will learn for their future no matter what career field they enter."
As Dean of STEM, Cumpston will oversee a variety of programs, including anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, earth science, electromechanical technology, electronics technology, engineering, math and physics.
Cumpston received her Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she also participated in internships at the Illinois State Geological Survey and National Geographic headquarters. She received her Master of Science in Geology from Northern Illinois University, where she participated in a collaborative research project with the Field Museum that included field work in Barranca, Peru. She has taught as an adjunct faculty member at College of DuPage, College of Lake County and McHenry County College, and served as a tenured assistant professor of Earth Sciences and Chair of Physical Sciences at Oakton Community College.
More recently, she has completed an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in student personnel services from the University of the Cumberlands.
Before joining College of DuPage, she served as the Dean of General Studies at Gateway Technical College in Wisconsin.
Cumpston was inspired to go into geography, in part, by her parents' collection of National Geographic magazines, as well as a passion for maps and travel. Her career has been blessed by good timing and serendipity. She gave birth to her son as she was finishing her master's degree, and an opportunity to adjunct teach provided flexible scheduling - an important consideration with an infant at home. While she hadn't necessarily planned on becoming a teacher, Cumpston found that she excelled at teaching and enjoyed it. Later, as a tenure track assistant professor at Oakton Community College, she was appointed Chair of Physical Sciences and found another career path that she was good at and enjoyed.
Cumpston said one underlying principle has remained consistent throughout.
"I'm most focused on student success," she said. "I love finding new ways and resources to help students succeed and reach their educational and career goals."
Cumpston said that stepping into the role of Dean of STEM, a new position at COD, comes with its own unique challenges.
"I'm still learning the ropes at COD," she said. "It's a large institution and there is a lot to learn as well as a substantial number of STEM-related initiatives going on already. The key now is to build relationships to figure out what the needs are and where the opportunities lie."
Learn more about STEM at College of DuPage at www.cod.edu.
The College of DuPage is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Serving approximately 25,000 students each term, College of DuPage is the largest public community college in the state of Illinois. The college grants seven associate degrees and offers more than 170 career and technical certificates in over 50 areas of study.