Dr. Laurie Leshin is the 16th President of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), which embraces the application of theory learning in the classroom with real-world problem-solving. Laurie has more than twenty years of experience as an academic leader and was previously the Director of Sciences and Exploration Directorate at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the Deputy Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA. She has a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Arizona State University and a Master’s and PH.D. in geochemistry from Caltech.

Laurie joins me today to discuss the hope of higher education. She highlights why education needs to envelop theory, practice, and impact while producing community value. Laurie discusses finding success through support and wellness. She shares how The Center For Project-Based Learning at WPI shares its project-based learning approach with other educational facilities and universities. Laurie shares why we need to build systems that are aligned and incentivized to our values and beliefs. She also reveals what the STEM tutor of the future will look like and why it is vital to incorporate societal elements in solutions.

"You have to have big aspirations, and you have to have inspiring goals." - Dr. Laurie Leshin

This week on Insert:Human

• The intent of education and how to make positive change
• Turning knowledge into action through theory, practice, and impact and aligning this with public or community good
• Infusing practice and off-campus projects in education to make a global and local impact
• Succeeding together by supporting each other and the importance of wellness, self-care, and social connection
• How The Center For Project-Based Learning at WPI shares its learnings and innovative teaching systems with other colleges and universities
• Building systems and incentives that are aligned with your values
• Solving problems and creating solutions by balancing STEM technologies with the human and societal element
• Why education needs to be life-long learning and how WPI is supporting entrepreneurial start-ups

Connect with Dr. Laurie Leshin:

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• WPI on LinkedIn
• WPI on Instagram
• WPI on Facebook
• WPI on Twitter
• Laurie Leshin on LinkedIn

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