Neomia Hagans Flores is an innovation leader at the University of Kentucky and Director of the UK Next Gen Scholars Dual Credit Program in the Center for Next Generation Leadership. She has been at UK since 2018 and works at the intersection of K–12 and higher education, helping create meaningful college opportunities for high school students across Kentucky.

Neomia leads the development and day-to-day work of Next Gen Scholars, partnering with UK faculty, high school teachers, counselors, and school leaders to make dual credit more than simply earning college hours. Her work focuses on creating strong connections between high school and college, supporting educators, and helping students see themselves as capable college students.

A first-generation college student and Kentucky native, Neomia is passionate about expanding access and opportunity for students who may not always see higher education as something that is meant for them. She brings both professional experience and personal perspective to her work, with a particular interest in how dual credit can help students navigate the transition from high school to college.

Neomia earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work from UK and is completing her Ph.D. in higher education. Her research focuses on barriers to dual credit participation and creating more equitable pathways into higher education.

Neomia Hagans Flores

With 20 years of experience in education, Chris Lacy joined Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation in August 2025 as the Science Content Manager for AdvanceKentucky. For 15 of those years, he taught Physical Science, Algebra, and AP Physics at a Title I high school, where his students routinely outperformed both state and national averages on AP exams.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Rank I in Educational Technology, all from Morehead State University. He has served as a district-level department head, curriculum coach, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) coordinator, with a consistent focus on making science more accessible and engaging for all learners.

In addition to his work in the classroom and district office, Chris is an NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) trainer and a seasoned professional development associate, helping teachers grow through interactive, standards-aligned training. He has also written and received numerous federal and foundational grants supporting STEM learning and expanding student opportunities across Kentucky.

Chris Lacy

Dr. Noel Novelo, Assistant Professor at the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Kentucky State University, has paired graduate students (mentors) with high school students (mentees) from Frankfort High School, Western Hills High School, and home-schooled students since 2016. He believes mentorship provides guidance, growth, new opportunities, and uplifts lives. He values the time and effort his fish genetics research team invests in mentorship of younger students (high school and undergraduate levels). He has obtained funding for high school students to travel and to present at professional conferences, including the Kentucky Academy of Science and Aquaculture America 2025. Likewise, Caleb Davis, undergraduate student, mentored by graduate student, Bianca Narvaez, received a $5,000 scholarship from Future Organic Farmers to support his education. Dr. Novelo’s work aims to support and reduce costs for local fish production, and to address food security and economic resiliency relevant to Kentucky and the USA. The fishes his research and partnership work focus on include Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Tilapia, which are part of the thesis projects of the five graduate students for whom he serves as current major advisor. He has served as Vice-President, President, and Past-President at the Kentucky Academy of Science.

Dr. Rachel Rogers is a professor of research at Morehead State University’s Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, where she works to connect academically gifted high school students with authentic research, experiential learning, and STEM opportunities. She teaches research courses, mentors student research and special projects, and develops partnerships that allow students to apply their learning beyond the classroom. Dr. Rogers earned her Ph.D. in STEM Education from the University of Kentucky and holds degrees in biology, speech communication, teaching, and instructional leadership from Morehead State University. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher.

With more than 20 years of experience in P–20 education, Dr. Rogers is passionate about helping young people develop confidence, curiosity, leadership, and professional skills through research and hands-on learning. Her work includes mentoring students in scientific research, robotics, environmental science, community-based projects, and research dissemination. She is particularly committed to expanding research opportunities for Kentucky students and strengthening connections among students, teachers, universities, and STEM professionals across the Commonwealth.

Rachel Rogers

Tina Wei Smith is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Rural Up, an Eastern Kentucky-based nonprofit focused on expanding STEM education, work-based learning, and career-connected opportunities for students across the region. Through Rural Up, she leads initiatives that connect K–12 schools, colleges, employers, and community partners to help young people explore STEM careers and develop the skills needed for college and the workforce. Tina also leads the EKY STEM Ecosystem, a regional network working to strengthen connections among educators, employers, and STEM organizations. Rural Up’s programs provide hands-on STEM experiences for youth, professional development for educators, and paid work-based learning opportunities for high school and college students.Her career has spanned education, public policy, government, and nonprofit leadership. She previously served as Director of the Global Engagement Office and taught public policy at Asbury University. Her earlier public service includes roles with the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S. House of Representatives.
Kentucky has been her adopted home for more than a decade, and she and her husband are raising their four young children in London, Kentucky.

Tina Wei Smith

Junior Academy of Science Director and Program Coordinator Melony Stambaugh c

Junior Academy of Science Director and Program Coordinator Melony Stambaugh (ex-officio) coordinates oral and poster presentations for the KAS Annual meeting and for the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science meeting each fall. In this role, she works to reach students and teachers across the state to help them see the benefits of presenting their research at KJAS each fall.  Each year, Melony takes a group of students to the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) meeting where they are inducted as Fellows.  She believes in the importance of science and research and uses these principles teaching in K-12 through college courses. Melony is a cultural anthropologist with degrees from Northern Kentucky University and the University of Cincinnati.  Her research interests include sports, art, and social networks. In 2023 she was awarded the Governor's Service Award - Volunteer Service Award for her work with KJAS.

Laura Walther is an Assistant Professor and Lab Manager at Asbury University. She completed her undergraduate degree at Asbury in 1991 and has been teaching in the chemistry department, as well as managing the chemistry labs since 2004. She earned her M.S in Chemistry from Eastern Kentucky University in 2001 and her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 2019 from University of Kentucky. Her research interests are in the field of Chemical Education, developing courses that Teach Science with a Purpose, especially for non-science majors to encourage an interest and appreciation for science in everyday life. In collaboration with colleagues, already-developed chemistry courses Forensic Science and Light & Media are just the start with a Biology course on farming and a Chemistry course on Food Science in the planning stages. She currently serves as the Chair Elect for the American Chemical Society Lexington Section (2024).

Laura Walther

Erica Baker, Kentucky Department of Education

Sam Earls, Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science

Mary Lamar, Eastern Kentucky University