Distinguished professor appointed to National Science Foundation STEM education advisory committee

Lamont A. Flowers, Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership and the Charles H. Houston Center executive director, has been appointed to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for STEM Education Advisory Committee.

The NSF Directorate for STEM Education funds research and scholarship to advance student learning in STEM. As a member of the directorate’s advisory committee, Flowers will analyze data, information and issues pertaining to NSF’s Directorate for STEM Education and provide recommendations about current and future plans, policies and programs.

“Aligned with Clemson’s strategic initiatives, while pursuing scholarly activities, I examine empirical methodologies to explore concepts affecting educational experiences and outcomes,” Flowers said. “I appreciate the opportunity to collaboratively share ideas that have the potential to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies and research that positively enhance STEM education and workforce outcomes across the country.”

Committee members advise on effective and efficient strategies for meeting the challenges of science, math, engineering, and technology education at all levels in the United States. Flowers has explored various STEM education and leadership topics through his research, service, teaching, administrative, and academic experiences.

Flowers said he looks forward to contributing to the committee’s work to address significant issues on the horizon related to STEM education and the workforce.

“Ensuring students have access to educational experiences that promote academic achievement and career opportunities will positively enhance communities throughout the nation,” Flowers said. “I value the possibilities associated with formulating and assessing scholarly perspectives to improve STEM education.”

Flowers, who has been at Clemson University since 2005, serves as the Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership in the Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development in the College of Education and the Charles H. Houston Center executive director in the Division of Community, Engagement, Belonging and Access at Clemson University. The Charles H. Houston Center examines issues impacting institutional and educational outcomes, evaluates precollege and student engagement programs and assists in the division’s strategic planning process.

Flowers has authored, co-authored, edited, or co-edited more than 100 scholarly publications; his research focuses on analyzing factors affecting educational and occupational attainment among African Americans and educational leadership issues impacting outcomes for various populations in higher education. Flowers has received grants to conduct research from the American Educational Research Association, the Spencer Foundation and the Association for Institutional Research.

Flowers has earned several honors, including the National Association for Multicultural Education’s Carl A. Grant Multicultural Research Award, the W.E.B. DuBois Higher Education Award from the National Alliance of Black School Educators and the Scholars of Color Early Career Contribution Award from the American Educational Research Association.

Flowers earned a master’s degree in social studies education and a doctoral degree in higher education from the University of Iowa. He earned a master’s degree in industrial statistics from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in software engineering from Auburn University. Flowers earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University.