Drabik-O’Reilley to provide leadership and direction
HOUSTON (December 21, 2010) – Terri Drabik-O’Reilley has been named Associate Director of The HoustonWorks USA STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Institute.
Drabik-O’Reilley will serve as the STEM Institute operational officer, managing the program’s logistics and outreach. As a former Shell employee, Drabik-O’Reilley brings more than 20 years of workforce development, training and community relations experience to HoustonWorks USA. She has partnered with the Houston Independent School District, Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering and the Museum of Natural Science, Weiss Energy Hall to build strategy, implementation and promotion of STEM.
The HoustonWorks USA STEM Institute will be addressing the nation’s challenge to remain competitive in STEM education. The Institute plans to accomplish this through teacher training, advanced research in STEM related fields, youth focused programming and continued measurement of participants both during and after program completion.
According to an article published in the Washington Post, “American students ranked 25th in math and 17th in science in 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) testing scores compared to 34 other countries.”
“We are very excited to be bringing someone on board who is from the energy industry,” said Larry V. Green, CEO HoustonWorks USA. “Terri’s 20-years of experience is going to have a very positive impact on our programs as well as provide us with a link between Houston’s energy and education communities.”
“STEM not only equips students with vital knowledge, but instills an appreciation of the institutes’ core fields,” Drabik-O’Reilley said. “I’m excited to be a part of a program that challenges our youth to reach their fullest potential and invests in them to develop a competitive workforce for the America of tomorrow.”
“In today’s difficult economy, we must invest in America’s youth as they grow and adapt to the ever changing global market,” Nina Shokrian, Account Supervisor, Love Advertising and HoustonWorks USA Vice Chair, said. Dabrik-O’Reilley will do a wonderful job providing leadership and direction for the STEM Institute and will contribute great experience to a wonderful program encouraging our nation’s youth to achieve their scientific and professional aspirations.”
About HoustonWorks USA:
Founded in 1984, HoustonWorks USA is the leading provider of services focusing on job placement, continuing education and vocational training. Serving more than 1 million annually, HoustonWorks USA provides job seekers with a variety of workshops including job search techniques, interviewing skills and resume writing, or use of the resource library with Internet access and postings of local, state and national job openings. Training is also available in career fields such as healthcare, business, computers and education. HoustonWorks USA manages several of the largest Workforce Solutions offices in Houston and the surrounding region for the Houston Galveston Area Council. These offices offer a wide range of services for job seekers as well as employers looking for trained workers. HoustonWorks also provides numerous youth programs including internships, scholarships, summits and summer camps. HoustonWorks is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. Visit www.houstonworks.org for additional information.
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