ADP MaST Academy at UTEP Receives Support to Bolster Science and Math Teacher Education

Last Updated on January 10, 2018 at 12:00 AM

Originally published January 10, 2018

By UTEP Communications

UTEP Communications

The ADP Math and Science Teachers (MaST) Academy in The University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Science enters its 11th year on firm footing thanks to a long-standing commitment from Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP).

ADP began funding the MaST Academy in 2007 to enhance the quality of secondary mathematics and science teachers serving the El Paso region. Throughout the 11-year period, ADP has donated more than $2.3 million.

“ADP’s support of the MaST Academy is a boon for the area’s next generation of teachers,” said Robert Kirken, Ph.D., dean of the College of Science. “UTEP serves scores of students who may come from the lowest economic quartiles but have proven they can successfully navigate the academic rigors of university life. Our partnership with ADP helps students overcome this obstacle and pairs them with successful ADP MaST Academy leaders who employ cutting-edge, novel approaches to ensure their success as student-teachers.”

As of December 2017, 123 ADP MaST Academy alumni are teaching mathematics and sciences to students in grades 7-12. Another 16 ADP MaST students will graduate by the end of 2018 as a new cohort of approximately 15 students arrives on campus.

Students who are part of the ADP MaST Academy are supported financially and professionally said Ellen Esposito, director of secondary education for the College of Science and the ADP MaST Academy. They are provided with annual scholarships, field experience with an ADP MaST mentor teacher in a math or science classroom, travel to local and state conferences, and other professional development opportunities.

“These gifts from ADP not only facilitate UTEP student success,” Esposito said. “They also facilitate success in classrooms from grades seven to 12. We are helping teachers be better prepared for the classroom and have a bigger impact on the students that they teach. That ensures that future UTEP students are going to be more successful.”

ADP is one of the world’s largest and most experienced HR providers. In 2006, the company established its El Paso location after a nationwide search. It employs 2,000 people throughout the region. The company’s longstanding commitment to UTEP was recognized last year with the renaming of the academy to the ADP Math and Science Teachers Academy at The University of Texas at El Paso.

“We are thrilled to be associated with UTEP’s College of Science in sponsoring the ADP MaST Academy,” said Terry McGreehan, vice president and general manager of ADP’s El Paso location. “We know that by providing scholarships to students with a passion for teaching we are helping to seed the future of our country with outstanding math and science achievers. All innovation has its roots in math and science, and the impact that the ADP MaST Academy has is life changing.”

“We are grateful for Terry’s staunch involvement in this community,” Kirken said. “He has stewarded a vision to help bolster the quality of education in our region with support from a Fortune 500 company whose corporate headquarters are far from the UTEP campus. Witnessing what ADP has done for our undergraduates who will become teachers one day is incredible and inspiring.”