Dr. Candice McQueen, former Commissioner of Education for the state of Tennessee and current President of Lipscomb University, spoke to the McMinnville Noon Rotary Club about the importance of STEM training to keep the US competitive in the realm of innovation, technology and health sciences. Since the rise of the Cold War, an emphasis on science and progress led to the US being a major world player when it comes to cutting-edge discoveries. Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) scores show the US is losing its competitive edge especially as far as math and science are concerned. Based on PISA scores, China is in the lead with a PISA score of 1,736 ahead of Singapore with Estonia in the third. The United States holds 22nd place with a score of 1,485 just behind the Czech Republic at 21st place with a score of 1,486.
Dr. McQueen noted how Lipscomb is not just a University. They have over 5,000 university students, but they also have a pre-K to 12th grade program so the school provides education to students to everyone from age 2 to PhD students. Altogether there are about 6,400 students. One thing Lipscomb does a bit differently is making community service a part of its curriculum. One example provided was engineering students constructing micro-homes for victims of flooding in Waverly.
Health sciences is another program that is growing at Lipscomb. Recently the school added a new College of Health Sciences separate from the already existing College of Pharmacy. Right now, Lipscomb is second only to Vanderbilt when it comes to research being done in Tennessee universities. Exceptional MCAT scores among students and a world-class digital animation program (1st in the state and 22nd in the entire nation) are another draw. Their media program boasts former Disney animators sharing their craft, the voice of Larry the Cucumber from Veggie Tales on staff, and an ESPN sports-casting internship program. Broadcast journalist Demetria Kalodimos even had a residency at the School of Communication.
Dr. McQueen also shared how since the pandemic there has been a resurgence of interest in enrolling in private schools. Faith-based educational programs have also seen an increase. One reason for this provided by McQueen is related to the disenchantment with the way schools handled the educational crisis resulting from pandemic-era school closings.
Rotarian Bill Zechman will be conducting a half-hour interview with Dr. McQueen on McMinnville’s Public Radio 91.3-WCPI next Tuesday, July 18 at 5 p.m. with a repeat airing Thursday at 1 p.m. During the program, Dr. McQueen will review some of her talking points from the Rotary presentation regarding Lipscomb University and address the challenges in supporting teacher wellbeing and job satisfaction as well as mental health resources for students.
