معرفی
Cynthia Tomovic is a Professor in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies at Old Dominion University (ODU), Norfolk, VA, where she teaches in the undergraduate Training Specialist Program and graduate Workforce and Organizational Development program. Previously, she served as Director of the Training Specialist Program and Director of the Building Leaders to Advance Science and Technology (BLAST) STEM education initiative. Her academic career includes leadership roles at Purdue University as Chair of the Department of Organizational Leadership across thirteen Indiana campuses serving over 1,100 students.
Her educational background includes:
- Ph.D. in Higher and Adult Education Administration, University of Michigan (1990)
- M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, University of Michigan (1984)
- M.Ed. in Educational Program Evaluation/Assessment and Research Design, University of Illinois at Chicago Circle (1980)
- B.A. in Anthropology, University of Illinois at Chicago Circle (1978)
- ISO 9000 Lead Auditor Training Certificate (1996)
Tomovic's research spans organizational leadership, workforce development, and STEM education with emphasis on virtual teams, product lifecycle management (PLM), and climate change communication. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in manufacturing, education, and sustainability initiatives, particularly focusing on urban and high-poverty educational settings through innovative approaches like STEAM 'edventures'.
Her publication record reveals consistent focus on organizational systems and educational innovation, with recent work emphasizing urban STEM education, PLM integration in manufacturing/education, and cross-cultural virtual team dynamics. Trends show increasing attention to environmental sustainability and technology-mediated learning solutions across her 100+ publications.
Notable honors include:
- Dean's Recognition Award, Darden College of Education (2018)
- Multiple 'Making a Difference' Awards from ODU (2012, 2015)
- Excellence in Teaching awards from Purdue University (1993, 1997, 1999)
- Visiting Scholar positions at IBM, TRW, Motorola, and Delco Electronics
- Academic Administration Fellowships (2001)
Tomovic has secured over $4 million in research funding including the $995,821 'Pathway for Engineering Degrees' grant and multiple BLAST STEM initiatives. Her consulting work with IBM, Boeing, and State Farm demonstrates strong industry-academia connections. She has directed major programs including BLAST (serving junior/high school students) and developed international partnerships with institutions like Beihang University, focusing on leadership development and STEM education accessibility.
