Purdue CATALYST names Asunda as new executive director
The Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST) named Paul Asunda as its new Executive Director. He succeeds Lynn Bryan, emerita professor of science and STEM education and emerita director of CATALYST, who retired in 2024. The two-year position is effective January 1, 2026.
CATALYST is an interdisciplinary, research-oriented center housed in the College of Education focused on building and supporting a community of educational professionals who are dedicated to advancing K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teaching and learning.
Asunda is an associate professor of engineering and technology education in the Purdue Polytechnic’s Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation. with a joint appointment in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
As Director of CATALYST, Asunda will build upon the center’s success under the leadership of Bryan and develop strategic goals for advancing K-12 STEM education in response to emerging priorities, including integrated STEM pedagogies in K-12 classrooms and AI literacy in STEM education.
“With the evolving nature and landscape of STEM education, CATALYST will continually re-examine how our programs and outreach activities prepare future educators and the broader citizenry in our state and beyond to meaningfully integrate AI-related technologies that advance lifelong learning and career development,” Asunda said. “At the same time, these efforts will be intentionally aligned with, and contribute to, the mission of our College and University as a whole.”
Phillip J. VanFossen, interim dean of the College, thanked Asunda for taking on this important leadership role in the College, and thanked the Search Advisory Committee for the process.
Asunda’s scholarship focuses on the evolving nature of work and learning, with particular attention to (a) STEM workforce preparation within the context of engineering design-based instruction and computer science practices, and (b) how industry trends inform educators implementation of STEM learning environments, consequently college and career success of students. He studies workforce trends, educators’ understanding of these trends, their instructional approaches and practices, the impact on student learning, career awareness and choices.
About Purdue CATALYST
The Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST) is an interdisciplinary, research-oriented center. It focuses on building and supporting a community of educational professionals who are dedicated to advancing K-12 STEM teaching and learning and inform policy and public support of STEM teaching and learning and annually holds the Indiana STEM Education Conference.
Source: Paul Asunda