wSTEMAPUS.org
AWIS Chapter

Olivia Turner

President of wSTEM APUS

Olivia Turner is a Master of Management student with the American Public University System. She is an active and supporting APUS-Analog Research Group (AARG) member and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). When she is not filling her educational bucket, you will find her actively supporting one of her many passions for life: hosting a weekly local crochet and knit Meetup group, volunteering with CASA, cooking or baking intuitive recipes, working in either the flower or vegetable gardens, strength training at the gym, on the courts playing tennis, basketball or volleyball, or hitting the trails cycling, running, walking, or hiking with her best four-legged friend, Oakley. Olivia thoroughly enjoys being active and outdoors and pushing her boundaries. She is thrilled to participate as President for the APUS wSTEM and connect and support women in science.

Jessica Barrett

VP wSTEM APUS

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, I developed a love for all things science and nature at a very young age thanks in part to my grandpa who adored wildlife and the outdoors. I received an associates in applied science and then a bachelor’s in geography with an emphasis on environmental science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2013. In 2020, I graduated with a Masters in Public Health from Columbia Southern University and then finished my MS in Environmental Management and Policy at APU in 2023. I am back at APU to finish a graduate certificate in Fish & Wildlife Management. In 2018, I founded a nonprofit called Native and Wild Nebraska that encourages the use of native flora in urban landscapes. Check us out on FB and Instagram!!  I spend my free time rescuing wildlife as a volunteer for the Nebraska Wildlife Rehab and currently, I work as GM for Nebraska Scientific, a STEM retail company in Omaha. Our specialty is preserving specimens for dissection in classrooms, which is definitely a unique industry!  If I’m not working, I’m traveling and will visit my last continent in spring of 2025!.

Pedro Maldonado

wSTEM Communications

Pedro Maldonado has over 20 years of experience in the federal government and has been working in Washington, DC, for the last ten years.

Pedro currently serves as Director of the Office of Financial Management at the Federal Highway Administration.

After serving in the U.S. Army as a 19D Cavalry Scout, with a deployment to Iraq in 2008, he received his master's degree in International Administration at the University of Miami in 2012. He is currently a Doctor of Global Security student at American Military University. 

Julya Kenna

wSTEM APUS Secretary

"Julya is a master’s student in business analytics with a strong commitment to equity and representation in STEM disciplines. She works in the energy sector, focusing on electrification and advancing sustainable solutions. Julya is passionate about making science and technology accessible to everyone—from young kids just beginning their educational journey to adults exploring new career paths. She believes in providing the resources, connections, and foundational knowledge needed to help people from all backgrounds succeed. Dedicated to empowering underrepresented voices, she fosters professional development and networking to open doors and inspire growth. Outside of work and study, Julya is an aerialist and circus enthusiast. When not spending time upside down, she loves camping with her family or binge-watching anything comedy." 

Dr. Kristin Drexler
Faculty Advisor

Dr. Kristin Drexler is a full-time faculty of Geography and Conservation of Natural Resources for American Public University System’s School of STEM. She recently earned her PhD in Educational Leadership at New Mexico State University (NMSU) specializing in socio-ecological systems research. Drexler earned her Master of Arts degree in International Affairs/Latin American Studies from Ohio University, with an emphasis in Natural Resources Management. Drexler has conducted numerous community surveys and feasibility studies in Belize regarding agroforestry, conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Until she became a full time Instructor with APUS in 2009, Ms. Drexler was an Environmental Scientist in New Mexico, conducting field biology surveys and environmental impact analyses. Drexler founded the Belize Field School Program at NMSU, coordinating short courses in Belize in wildlife science, marine ecology, agriculture, and documentary film (2006-2014). Most recently, Drexler produced an award-winning short film, “Yochi” (2016), a story about youth conservation and action against poaching and illegal wildlife trade. In the late 90s,

Dr. Susan Agan
Faculty Advisor

Dr. Suzanne Agan is an Associate Professor in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a M.S. in Wildlife Science from Texas A&M University, a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies from Antioch University, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Antioch University New England.
Suzanne has been an educator in wildlife, conservation, and environmental sciences for 20 years after working in the field as a wildlife biologist. Her interdisciplinary Ph.D. research focused on spatial, ecological, and human dimension aspects of red wolf survival. She currently serves on the USFWS Red Wolf Recovery Team and is co-chair of the APU/AMU Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society, wSTEM, and AWIS. Personally she has been married to Bob for 26 years, is the mother of a 25 year old daughter and lives on a 9 acre farm in north Georgia. She is also passionate about sustainable agriculture and collaborates on a project at a large orphanage in Kenya.

Mr. J.J. Mara
Faculty Advisor

Is a faculty member in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. He holds M.S. degrees in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. J.J. teaches natural science and engineering courses for the University.

Honorary Alumni Advisor:

Alexya Papadogiannis

Alexya Papadogiannis is originally from Crete, Greece and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. In 2020 she received her B.S. in Information System Security with a concentration in Cyber Security from AMU. She currently works for the Department of Homeland Security as a Transportation Security Officer. She is passionate about supporting women and girls in all STEM fields and encourages them to pursue their dreams. She is a firm believer that the sky is the limit! In 2018 she served as Webmistress for wSTEM and from 2019 to 2020 she served as President of wSTEM and Vice President of AWIS. Upon graduating from AMU, she has stayed on as an Alumni Advisor for both wSTEM and AWIS.

wSTEM

Dr. Jack Galvan - Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jack Galvan received his Master’s Degree in Information Systems from the Honors University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Jack obtained his Ph.D. in Business Management specializing in Information Systems, from Northcentral University. His persistence in his education then landed him as the Chief Technology Officer and Director of I.T. working for a Market Research Firm in Florida for six years. Dr. Galvan currently serves as the Department Chair for STEM General Education MATH.