Black Belt STEM Institute Director
Chester Nicklas
cnicklas@uwa.edu
(205) 652-3481
Chester M. Nicklas, Jr. (Chet), Ed.D is an alumnus of Mississippi’s State University and The University of West Alabama. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of West Alabama (2011), a Master of Education degree (2012) and Specialist in Educational Leadership (2015) from Mississippi State University, and a Doctor of Education, Rural Education/Organizational Change from the University of West Alabama (2021). Chet’s dissertation was entitled “The Impact of Inequitable Broadband and the Digital Landscape Within Rural Schools.”
After serving as a teacher, coach, and bus driver for over ten years in Meridian, MS, Dr. Nicklas is now the Director of the UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute, which serves as the hub organization for professional development and student engagement in the Alabama Black Belt and beyond through a collective impact approach. The institute partners with K-12, higher education, business, and industry partners to increase student skills and achievement, student and teacher STEM opportunities, and teacher recruitment and retention.
In his free time, Dr. Nicklas enjoys working out, spending time with his family, including his wife of nearly 15 years, Janna, his 13 year-old son, Bearon, and his 11 year-old son, Colston. This family time mostly consists of year-round ball games and competitions, but the rare relaxation time is his favorite. In 2020, he was recognized as the Mississippi State Games Overall Male Athlete of the year.
Dr. Nicklas considers one of his greatest strengths to be his energy and his charisma. The growth of the UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute is due in part to the relationships made since its creation. The networking opportunities include partnerships with many STEM Leaders across the state of Alabama and the nation. For example, relationships with NSTA (National Science Teacher’s Assocation), Alabama Space Grant Consortium, VEX Robotics and S.C.O.R.E. (Southeastern Center of Robotics Education), Teton Science Schools, and If I Had A Hammer, ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange), among others, STIIX has resulted in a AMSTI Affiliate status in the state of Alabama. The corresponding professional development offerings have resulted in many learning opportunities for teachers and students and also created many valuable relationships in the K-12 schools. The number of counties visited by Dr. Nicklas through the institute now exceeds 30, and many of these counties represent teachers that have attended at least one Professional Development Session, either virtually or face to face. His story underscores the importance of relationship building, the importance of educational opportunities and highlights successes possible through positive attitude and hard work.
Black Belt STEM Institute Math Coach
Reggie Holifield
rholifield@uwa.edu
Reggie R. Holifield (Class of ’18, ’20) is an alumnus of the University of Montevallo, where he participated in TRIO Upward Bound, Student Support Services, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement programs, and Undergraduate Research. He received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry (Biochemistry concentration) in 2018, and a Master of Education in Secondary Education (General Science) in 2020, all from the University of Montevallo. He is currently a doctoral student in Higher Education Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi (’24). Reggie’s research focuses on the impact of asynchronous and synchronous learning modalities on the success and retention of African American students.
Beyond academia, Reggie is deeply involved in community engagement and advocacy. He is a co-founder of the Montevallo Legacy Project and serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Montevallo Legacy Project—a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving stories of the past, fostering community unity, and promoting cultural diversity. Reggie is also the founder and host of the podcast TalkinUpward, which aims to amplify the experiences of TRIO students, professionals, and stakeholders.
In addition to his academic pursuits and community involvement, Reggie is passionate about transforming STEM education in the West Alabama Black Belt region. He is actively engaged in the UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute, which serves as the hub organization central to a network of stakeholders dedicated to this transformational endeavor. Through collaborative efforts informed by research and best practices, Reggie and his colleagues aim to address the primary areas impacting student achievement, recruitment, and retention of STEM teachers, while equipping students with the skills needed by business and industry.In his free time, Reggie enjoys playing music (guitar and bass), competitive gaming, cooking, and exploring new recipes.
Black Belt STEM Institute Science Coach
Nancy Brooker
nbrooker@uwa.edu
Throughout her journey, Dr. Brooker has embraced diverse roles & opportunities for professional growth by transitioning between academia & private industry and now back into STEM education. This versatility not only speaks volumes about her adaptability, but also underscores her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge across different domains. Whether in the halls of academia or the dynamic landscape of private industry, Dr. Brooker’s passion for science is apparent.
Starting with her foundational education at Pittsburg State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Dr. Brooker laid the groundwork for her future endeavors. Her subsequent pursuit of higher education at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville (M.S.) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Ph.D.) further honed her expertise in plant sciences, plant pathology & biochemistry.
Dr. Brooker’s academic achievements paved the way for her impactful career in research & teaching at Pittsburg State University (PSU). During her 14 year tenure, she not only conducted pioneering research on soil-borne soybean diseases, but also played a pivotal role in promoting and leading the PSU women’s studies program as Chairperson of the multidisciplinary department & developing coursework in women in science. She also served as a pre-health adviser & mentor of undergraduate students, supporting their career development and earning her promotion to Full Professor of Genetics in 2007.
While at PSU, Dr. Brooker’s 10 years of STEM grants & curriculum development supported hundreds of science teachers and thousands of K-12 students in plant science education. One of her proudest STEM accomplishments was her training curriculum used at the George Washington Carver National Monument to train ~25,000 visiting students in soybean modeled plant science. George Washington Carver considered soybeans to be one of the most versatile agricultural crops that he studied. Over Dr. Brooker’s 14 years in academics, her contributions were nationally recognized, earning her prestigious awards and leadership opportunities from the National Institute of Health, Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) and the National Science Foundation and she was awarded her first US Patent for a new plant protectant for seeds.
Transitioning to the private sector, Dr. Brooker’s global positions at Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroScience, DowDupont, Abbott Laboratories & Recursion Pharmaceuticals showcased her versatility & leadership in biotechnology R&D, quality management & governmental compliance. Her 16 yrs of industry work spanned continents, from the EU, Asia to the United States, helping in the commercialization of 7 new biotechnology products for worldwide markets. Her work encompassed various aspects of Biotechnology Quality Management, Regulatory Science Testing & Preclinical/ Good Lab Practices (GLP) Safety Studies for new Biotechnology Products & Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Brooker is a recognized subject matter expert in Biotechnology Reference Materials used to validate testing methods & helps ensure accuracy in testing new products.
In 2023, Dr. Brooker embarked on a new chapter in her career by establishing her consulting business, Brooker Analytical Testing & Quality Compliance Consulting, in York, Alabama. As CEO, she leverages her extensive expertise to guide private companies in navigating complex testing and quality assurance needs, while developing training & regulatory compliance programs for companies.
She has started as STEM coach for the Black Belt STEM Institute at the University of Western Alabama (UWA) in Livingston, Alabama in Spring of 2024, and she brings her considerable knowledge in STEM Education & Teacher Professional Development. Her scientific expertise in Biotechnology, Microbial Genetics, Plant Pathology & Agriculture supports expansion of STEM career development. As an enthusiastic supporter of Black Belt STEM teachers & students in their career development, Dr. Brooker is committed to expanding scientific knowledge & support for the next generation of scientists. In her free time, Dr. Brooker enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking Cantonese foods and camping with her 2 cats.
Dr. Brooker’s professional journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of STEM education and the significant strides made by women in the field of science. Her story not only underscores the importance of educational opportunities, but also highlights the remarkable achievements possible through dedication, perseverance and hard work.