New Jersey Inductees

Fallon Davis, M.Ed., is an educator and community leader focused on uplifting LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and disabled communities. As the founder and CEO of STEAM URBAN, a Newark-based nonprofit launched in 2020, Fallon provides free year-round programs promoting Environmental Justice, Social Justice, and Educational Equity, offering over 300 programs annually. In 2023, Fallon expanded their mission with STEAM URBAN Farms & Gardens, creating “A Healing Sanctuary” to advance food justice and wellness. Recognized with awards like the Dr. Arnold Brown Racial Justice Award and featured in NJPBS’s Emmy-winning series “21,” Fallon remains a tireless advocate for systemic change and equity.

Odette Canton is a role model in the STEM field, inspiring others with her dedication to excellence and continuous learning. She has over 20+ years in the healthcare industry. She is a visionary business leader with a passion for driving positive change and revenue growth in complex, rapidly changing organizations.With extensive experience in healthcare, Odette has consistently been chosen by senior leaders to take on strategic initiative roles, transformingbusiness practices, protocols, and methodologies.As a certified Change Agent, Odette has spearheaded numerous new initiatives, identified process enhancements, and led significant corporate projects. With a deep commitment to professional integrity and emotional intelligence, Odette excels in understanding critical emotions and underlying behaviors to maximize engagement and performance. Her genuine interest in learning and challenging the status quo has brought new ideas to the surface with a diplomatic approach.Odette stays active in her community through organizations such as SCORE, Women’s Healthcare Business Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.

Jodi holds a BA in Geoscience from New Jersey City University and an MA in Education with a focus on Administration and Supervision from Saint Peter’s University. There, she graduated as an inductee of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Currently, Ms. Rubino teaches STEM to students in grades 2-5 at the Webb Elementary Community School (PS #22) within the Jersey City Public Schools, where she has been an educator for the past twenty one years. Passionate about the importance of STEM careers, she serves as the school’s Science Fair Coordinator and coaches the First Lego League and eMerge Minecraft Challenge teams.

Samuel is the Program Manager of the STEM Office at the U.S. Army’s DEVCOM Armaments Center located at Picatinny Arsenal. He is responsible for leading and promoting STEM initiatives in the greater NJ area. He oversees educational programs, competitions, and internships that introduce and encourage STEM career fields to students starting as young as Kindergarten all the way through Post Graduate School. His mission is to contribute to a technologically proficient society and help foster the next generation of innovators & problem solvers. Samuel holds both an Undergraduate and Masters degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Tia Troutman is the ISAAC Program Director at Students 2 Science’s East Hanover Technology Center. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Spelman College and an M.S. in Polymer Chemistry from Georgia Tech. With over 20 years of experience as a chemist and R&D scientist, Tia brings deep industry knowledge and passion to her work. As a STEM advocate and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Tia is dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for students—especially those from underserved communities. She leads S2S’s immersive ISAAC in-lab program, where thousands of students engage annually in real-world, hands-on STEM learning and meet professionals across diverse fields. Through her work, Tia is shaping the next generation of STEM scholars by making science accessible, exciting, and empowering.

Hanan Attiyah is an award-winning STEM educator, curriculum designer, and grant writer committed to expanding early STEM learning opportunities for students across New Jersey. She has secured more than $135,000 in funding to support hands-on STEM initiatives and has developed innovative K–4 coding and robotics programs that serve as models for early STEM education. A 2024 New Jersey finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Hanan also serves on multiple state and regional STEM advisory boards. She is a passionate advocate for equitable access to technology and innovation in education.

Amanda holds degrees in Biology, Secondary Education, and Teacher Leadership with a focus on Special Education. She began her STEM journey with Project Infuse, an NSF- and NSTA-funded initiative, and contributed to Engineering in the Life Sciences. Amanda spent 13 years teaching biology in Toms River, where she helped develop and later led the district’s STEAM Academy. She now serves as the STEM Curriculum & Instruction Supervisor at Mercer County Technical Schools.

Edward holds a Medical Doctorate from the Dominican Republic and has built a career at the intersection of science, education, and mentorship. He began his STEM journey through nonprofit medical service across the Caribbean and South America, eventually discovering his passion for teaching and student empowerment in the classroom. Edward currently serves as Project Director for a USDA NIFA-HSI Grant and Site Coordinator for an NSF B2B grant at Bergen Community College, while also teaching Biology at NJIT. His work centers on expanding inclusive pathways into STEM, supply chain, nutritional science, and environmental studies. A champion of accessibility in education, Edward is driven by a mission to demystify science and inspire students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—to find their voice, set bold goals, and pursue careers that shape the world.

Michelle Wendt is a Technology Integrationist at Stockton University’s Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center (SRI&ETTC), where she has led innovative educational technology initiatives since 2010. With a Master’s in Instructional Technology and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Literature and Elementary Education, she empowers educators and students through hands-on STEM, STEAM, and Makerspace learning. Michelle also serves as President of the New Jersey Chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association and teaches data visualization and educational technology at Stockton. Her work spans artificial intelligence, digital storytelling, physical computing, and sustainability education, all driven by her passion for fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence in learning.

Dr. Mukund Iyengar is the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Education at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he has led transformative innovation and startup initiatives since joining the faculty after earning his Ph.D. in computer science. Turning down offers from Google and Facebook, he chose to pursue his passion for building with students, founding Launchpad@Stevens and iSTEM@Stevens to guide learners from idea conception to successful ventures. Under his leadership, more than 25 student-founded companies have launched, with several earning backing from Y Combinator and Sequoia Capital. Dr. Iyengar’s work spans entrepreneurship education, applied technology, and venture creation, all driven by his commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

Keion holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy with Distinction and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Communication from Boston College. He began his environmental education career developing community-based programs that connect youth to green workforce pathways and hands-on conservation experiences. Since 2022, Keion has served as Program Director of Urban Outreach & Education at NY/NJ Baykeeper, where he leads initiatives that engage hundreds of students each year across New Jersey and New York City. His programs include the Ocean Pathways Career Exploration Summer Program, Rink-2-Reef Oyster Garden and Water Quality Program, and Sustainability & STEM partnerships with the Boy and Girl Scouts. Through his leadership, NY/NJ Baykeeper’s education programs have expanded to reach more than 600 students annually, fostering environmental advocacy, STEM learning, and climate action readiness. Keion is also certified in CPR and First Aid by the American Heart Association and continues to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards through equity-driven education and outreach.

Jessica McKenzie leads corporate citizenship with over a decade of experience in socialimpact. As Manager of Corporate Contributions and Program Officer at Panasonic NorthAmerica, she oversees philanthropic strategy and grantmaking to promote educationequity through the Panasonic Foundation. Jessica is dedicated to advancing economic andeducational equity, launching national initiatives, and encouraging corporate involvementin addressing societal challenges related to economic mobility and education. She alsofounded 908 Visionaries, a youth nonprofit in Plainfield, NJ. Jessica earned her BA fromDelaware State University and an MPA from Kean University.Inspiration for STEM:Jessica recognizes that STEM provides students with opportunities that can enhanceeconomic mobility, particularly for individuals from modest backgrounds. She drawsmotivation from learners addressing real-world challenges and remains dedicated tobroadening equitable access to quality STEM education, supporting local educationalecosystems, and preparing young people for success in a technology-focused economy.