Biography

 Tonya M. Matthews, Ph.D. is a thought-leader and convener in STEM education and engagement, organizational equity and inclusion, and informal, community-driven learning. Her diverse background includes academic and professional work as a scientist, educator, volunteer, and award-winning writer/poet.

Matthews is noted for her skill in bringing diverse voices into common conversation and has been recognized by Crain’s Business as one of Michigan’s 100 Most Influential Women.

Dr. Matthews received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her B.S.E. in biomedical and electrical engineering from Duke University. She is currently Vice-Chair for the National Assessment Governing Board (which defines the Nation’s Report Card in math and science) and she is a member of the National Academy of Sciences Board on Science Education. She is the recipient of a Whitaker Foundation Award for Engineering Excellence and an alumni member of National Society of Black Engineers and Society for Women Engineers.

Dr. Matthews is founder of The STEMinista Project, an initiative supporting middle schools girls in exploring tools and careers in STEM. The program uses collective impact program design, engages a global role model database, and works with partners to open access to 1000+ hours of STEM experiences for participants every year. Previously, Dr. Matthews was President and CEO of Michigan Science Center and led its climb to becoming the STEM Hub for greater Detroit and the state of Michigan. Under her leadership, the science center developed comprehensive STEM enrichment partnerships with Detroit Public Community Schools that adopt all students across entire grade levels. During her tenure, Dr. Matthews positioned the center and Detroit as an epicenter of STEM and garnered national recognition by hosting critical convenings such as the release of the first Nation’s Report Card on Technology and Engineering Literacy.

Prior to her work in Detroit, Dr. Matthews served as the Vice President for Cincinnati Museum Center, directing the education, research and community engagement footprints of the $20M multi-site museum and research institution. Dr. Matthews began her career in community-driven science education and community-engaged science advocacy at the Maryland Science Center as manager of BodyLink, an innovative, multimedia space focused on biotechnology.

When exercising the other half of her brain, Dr. Matthews is an award-winning poet and spoken word artist whose most recent collaborations include Symphony in D – both the original symphony and the Emmy Award-winning documentary that tells a bit of Detroit’s story through music, sound, and poetry.

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