University of San Diego, The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education

We were honored to welcome U.S. Consul General in Tijuana Christopher Teal to the University of San Diego for an insightful discussion on binational collaboration ??! Our team at The Jacobs Institute shared how initiatives like the Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge empower students globally to develop innovative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals ??. The visit highlighted the importance of education, research, and cross-border partnerships in strengthening ties between the U.S. and Mexico? ????????. Grateful to be part of this conversation alongside SOLES Dean Kimberly White-Smith, CETYS Dean Monica Lopez Sieben, and other campus leaders ??! Perla Myers, Ashley Ahrens-Víquez, Nadiah Al-Gasem, University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Pactful

Dean Kimberly White-Smith welcomed U.S. Consul General in Tijuana Christopher Teal and his team to SOLES for a productive meeting with our University of San Diego, The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education colleagues, followed by a collaborative lunch. The event brought together students, faculty, staff, campus partners and regional leaders like CETYS Graduate School of Business (GSB) Dean Monica Lopez Sieben, PhD., to discuss ongoing binational projects and explore opportunities to expand our partnerships. ?????????? As Dean White-Smith shared, "Today’s conversation with Consul General Teal reaffirmed our shared commitment to building bridges through education, innovation and cross-border partnerships that uplift and unify communities on both sides of the border." It was a privilege to host the consul general at the University of San Diego, and we look forward to continuing this important dialogue. Click the link to learn more about today's visit and meaningful discussion. ?? https://shorturl.at/SF9m9

??Team Member Spotlight ?? We’re excited to spotlight Dr. Lisa Smith, Director of Research at the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education! ?? Dr. Smith earned a PhD in Educational Psychology from Ball State University, specializing in self-regulated learning and gifted studies. Her research focuses on how students adapt to academic challenges and develop strategies to persist through difficulty. ??? At JI, Dr. Smith leads the research team, driving nationally and state-funded grant initiatives and fostering collaborations with partner organizations to unlock learners’ potential and enhance educational practices through research-informed solutions.?? Fun fact: Before joining JI, Dr. Smith worked with Duke University’s Talent Identification Program and remains passionate about leveraging research to help students thrive! ?? We’re so grateful for Dr. Smith’s expertise and dedication to advancing education as part of our team! University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Perla Myers

Join us for a free international webinar with Dr. Perla Myers, Executive Director of the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, on February 19th at 2:00 PM PST! ??? Dr. Myers will share about the Institute’s adventure engaging upper elementary school students in paper folding to enhance visuospatial skills. Don't miss out—register now through the link or QR code above! ???? Hosted by FUNDAPROMAT(Panama) & the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). #MathWebinar #VisuospatialSkills #PaperFolding #MathEducation #FreeEvent University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Mathematical Association of America, FUNDAPROMAT

?? Exciting news! Pactful was featured on Drew Schlosberg’s "Spotlight on the Community" podcast from Cloudcast Media. Learn how this innovative curriculum app has been empowering thousands of students across 45+ countries through the annual Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge! ??? Listen here: https://lnkd.in/g68PJy3s #JTIC25 #Pactful #SDGs #ForwardFaster University of San Diego, The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education

?? Team Member Spotlight ?? We’re excited to shine a light on Dr. Carla Penha Vasconcelos, Ph.D., Research Associate at the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education! ?? Dr. Penha-Vasconcelos brings her extensive international experience in community service, education, and intersectional justice to our team. ???? She plays a key role in several cutting-edge research projects, including as manager of the NSF-funded Project AnchorSTEM, which sustains and strengthens partnerships with pre-college serving community organizations to establish a reciprocal, ongoing mechanism to support the retention, graduation and success in Mathematics, Engineering and Science of local Rising Stars. With a rich academic background, including a PhD in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University, Dr. Penha-Vasconcelos has taught graduate courses at Gonzaga and the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, focusing on leadership, diversity, and global collaboration. ???? ?? Dr. Penha-Vasconcelos recently posted about her latest publication: "From Margins to Power: Resistance Leadership by Brazilian Women’s Collective Candidates" and is teaching LEAD 672-A, a course in ‘Critical Thinking and Research Methods ‘ in Spring 2025. We’re lucky to have Dr. Penha-Vasconcelos’ expertise and dedication on our team! ?? #IntersectionalJustice #Leadership #Innovation Perla Myers

Our Holiday Open House was a wonderful celebration of innovation, collaboration, and community! ? We were honored to welcome our founding donor, Dr. Irwin Jacobs, alongside President Jim Harris, Dr. Kimberly White-Smith, esteemed colleagues across the University of San Diego, and our incredible collaborators and members of our supportive community. Thank you to everyone who joined us as we shared how we are collaboratively advancing education through research, creativity, and meaningful connections. Together, we are empowering learners and educators to build a brighter future. ???? University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Perla Myers

?? Team Member Spotlight ?? We’re back with more of our Team Spotlight series, where we celebrate the incredible individuals who make The Jacobs Institute thrive! ?? Meet Vijaya Srinivasan, our Assistant Director of Finance & Administration. ??? Vijaya supports the Institute’s operations, with much care and passion.?? She manages the budgets and administrative processes to make sure all of our major projects and events are possible, including Pactful, AnchorSTEM, eSPAC3, VisMO, and more. ?? Vijaya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry ?? from the University of Mumbai, Graduate Studies in Food Science and Technology from The Ohio State University and Project Management at SDCCE. ?? Fun fact: Vijaya is a certified solo paragliding pilot! Outside of work, she loves painting, gardening, traveling, and getting lost in a good book. We’re so fortunate to have her as a key part of our team. ?? Stay tuned for more Team Spotlights as we continue to highlight the amazing people driving our mission forward! ?? University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Perla Myers

As the holiday season approaches, we’re taking a moment to reminisce about last year’s amazing Holiday Open House! ?? It was such a special time celebrating creativity, innovation, and community, and we can’t wait to do it all over again this year. Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 18th for another unforgettable evening. ?? Expect to explore exciting new projects, connect with incredible collaborators, dive into hands-on activities, and enjoy festive treats. ?? It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and everything we’ve accomplished together! ?? Please RSVP by Dec. 16. We can't wait to celebrate with you again! ?? #HolidayOpenHouse #Innovation #FestiveFun University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences

On November 15th, the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education and Carson STEAM Magnet proudly hosted the bi-annual Carson Family STEAM Night Event, celebrating the 10th year of STEAM at Carson ??! Nearly 604 people attended, including 118 facilitators & volunteers and 486 Carson family members & staff. Families enjoyed hands-on activities in Science ??, Technology ??, Engineering ??, Arts ??, & Math?, exciting opportunity drawings, and delicious tacos! ?? Thank you to the Judy Lewis Logue Alcala Chapter of Mortar Board National College Honor Society’s Aliyah Jones and Donovan Rice for organizing facilitators and volunteers. Thanks to USD classes, centers and clubs like Mortar Board, the Engineering Exchange for Social Justice, CASA, College Corps, the STEM Outreach club, SHPE, SWE, NSBE, SASE, ASME, and many more for bringing the STEAM excitement! ?? Thanks to the Linda Vista Farmers Market and Montgomery Middle School for leading activities! We love to collaborate with you all! ???? A huge thank you to the Impact Linda Vista Initiative and USD’s Associated Student Government for funding this event, and to all our participants, volunteers, and donors for making it a success. Let’s continue to inspire the next generation of innovators! #USDCommunity #STEMEducation