Collins Honored with Henry McBay Outstanding Educator Award

Our incredible STEM Education Institute director, Dr. Sibrina Collins, attended the annual conference for the  National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). According to NOBCChE, their goal is intended to “...build an eminent cadre of successful diverse global leaders in STEM and advance their professional endeavors by adding value to their academic, development, leadership, and philanthropic endeavors throughout the life-cycle of their career.” The organization is responsible for an influx of leadership opportunities such as the conference Dr. Collins attended this past week. The event took place in Orlando, Florida from September 30th, 2024 through October 4th, 2024. At this event, Dr. Sibrina Collins won the 2024 Henry McBay Outstanding Educator Award! The Henry McBay award honors exceptional STEM educators who contribute a significant amount to teaching and mentoring younger scientists.

We are honored that our director has been awarded such an inspiring award and has dedicated her time and energy to doing just the same. This is a remarkable achievement highlighting the success and contributions not only from Dr. McBay, but also from Dr. Collins.

In honoring Dr. McBay’s legacy, Dr. Collins stated what it was like for her to win this award. As a reflection of her achievement, Dr. Collins expressed, "It is an honor to be the 2024 Henry McBay Outstanding Educator of the Year. Dr. Henry McBay is truly an inspiration and a pioneer in the field of chemistry. He made an incredible impact with research, which later led to the discovery of a protein used to treat prostate cancer.  He mentored several young scientists and engineers. Thus, I am thrilled to be part of Dr. McBay's amazing legacy in STEM education and impact K-12 education."

Dr. Collins has made significant contributions during the most recent academic year at Eastern Michigan University. Her ability to swiftly adapt to her new role has been impressive and widely recognized. She has actively participated in numerous events organized by the STEM Education Institute, demonstrating her commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and scientists. Dr. Collins has taken a proactive approach at the institute, and her vision for its future is clear. Her contributions have greatly enriched our team, and we are beyond proud to have her as part of our community. As she continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, Dr. Collins’s leadership at the STEM Education Institute promises to drive innovation and inclusivity in education.