Meet the Idaho STEM Action Center Team
Caty Solace previously served as the chief communications and operations officer for the Idaho Workforce Development Council (WDC) since 2018. She led the Idaho Launch program, which has provided financial assistance for more than 2,000 Idahoans to receive employer-requested workforce training. She worked to expand career resources provided by Next Steps Idaho in partnership with the State Board of Education Outreach Team, and managed the annual Age of Agility: The Governor’s Summit on the Future of Work event. Solace also previously worked for the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and World Literature at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Antioch University in Los Angeles, California.
Stephanie is a native Idahoan with more than 15 years of experience in the development, deployment, and administration of statewide programs. She worked at the Idaho State Department of Education supporting districts, schools, and state-wide education leaders with student development and innovative testing programs. Most notably, Stephanie demonstrated her proven leadership skills as the Idaho State Assessment Program Specialist overseeing the design and facilitating implementation of the Idaho Reading Indicator Program and monitoring the program’s multi-million dollar budget as well as providing legislative reports. She also collaborated with numerous state agencies, districts and schools throughout Idaho to directly advise and support the special needs of Idaho students and educators.
Stephanie continues to demonstrate her extensive working knowledge of Idaho state education systems and has achieved progressive growth throughout her career. She eagerly joined the Idaho STEM Action Center team in October 2016 to lead and guide effective implementation of the Idaho STEM AC Grants and Contracts Programs.
Crispin was born in Pocatello, and grew up in various places along the Snake River. He graduated from Boise State University with degrees in Sociology, French, Gender Studies, and Economics. In 2014, Crispin was selected to represent ten states and various US territories as a human rights delegate, discussing the ways technology changes education around the world. Crispin also volunteers in his community to foster stronger relationships between business, nonprofit, neighborhood, and educational organizations. He is dedicated to ensuring that education opportunities exist for all people, regardless of any existing barrier. Crispin joined the Idaho STEM Action Center team in March 2016 to help facilitate the grants process and ensure effective accountability.
Katie Bosch-Wilson is a native Idahoan with 11 years of service in public education. Katie earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education and two master’s degrees in Mathematics Education and Curriculum and Instruction. She has a graduate certificate in STEM Education with an emphasis in Computer Science. Prior to joining the STEM Action Center team, Katie taught Math and Computer Science at Capitol High School in Boise. In addition to teaching, Katie has experience working as a district content coordinator and adjunct professor at BSU,and had the honor of sitting on numerous Idaho State Department of Education committees. Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and their family dog. When the weather is nice, they try to get up to the foothills and be outside as much as possible.
Francine McGrew has worked in state government for over 20 years. Francine earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Saint Mary’s College of California and her master’s in public administration with specialties in public personnel policy and budgeting from CSU, Northridge. Prior to joining the STEM Action Center in 2023 and before moving to Idaho, she worked as a Fiscal and Administrative Manager for California’s Desired Results and Desired Results access sponsored federal pass-through programs from California’s Department of Education, Child Development Division coordinating logistics and monitoring the projects multi-million-dollar budget. After moving to Idaho, Francine worked for several different state agencies including: DFM, Industrial Commission, and DHW before taking a break to help with a small, local computer repair company. Feeling the pull back to state service, she finally settled at the Idaho Transportation Department for over 10 years. There she spent a good portion of her time as the Operations Manager for Enterprise Technology Services handling a myriad of duties including asset management, infrastructure and department purchasing, personnel, strategy, and budget.
Francine has been just on the outskirts of the Idaho STEM arena for many years. Her favorite moment was watching her daughter and the rest of the 8th grade team win the State Science Olympiad in 2019 and travel to the National Competition at Cornell University where one of the team’s entries took 6th place among very tough competition. She also supported the building of a STEM wing at Bishop Kelly High School that now houses VEX and First robotics teams made up of BK students as well as many from other area public schools.
Francine is an avid soccer fan and player and serves the Idaho soccer community by coaching both U7 and U17 girls. She is the team manager for the Bishop Kelly Men’s Soccer Team as well as a registrar for a local club. She can be found most days watching her son play at the competitive club level and high school. Her family is also active in the Foreign Exchange Host Cultural Program through the US State Department.
Nate Dean has worked in Idaho public education for over a decade, primarily teaching secondary Science and Mathematics in Title I eligible schools. He has also served in numerous district and state-level advisory and leadership roles throughout his career, including a short tenure as the Educator Effectiveness Program Manager for the State Board of Education. Prior to joining the STEM Action Center team in 2023, he supported educators across Idaho by contracting with the State Department of Education as a state Science Coach. Nate holds an undergraduate degree in Earth Science Education and graduate degrees in both STEM Education and Educational Leadership. His professional passions are STEM assessment/grading practices, educational fairness, and environmental science. He is also an ardent foodie, dog-lover, and tabletop role-playing game enthusiast.
STEMazing Part-Time Contractors
Asana was born in California and moved to Boise, Idaho when she was 12 years old. She started her adventure in technology over 30 years ago, working for Hewlett Packard and other local technology companies. She began her career in website development and graphic design in the mid-90s and became an independent contractor in 2003. She has worked with several local businesses and the State of Idaho. Asana joined the STEM team in March 2018.
Tony has worked for more than 30 years as a public relations counselor, representing STEM-related clients throughout his career that range from biotech firms, health care systems, and conservation programs to hardware and software companies, innovative building products manufacturers, and agriculture. Prior to opening his own PR practice, COMMposition, in 2007, he worked for renowned PR and advertising agencies in New York City, Phoenix, and Boise. Tony has helped the Idaho STEM Action Center raise awareness of its mission and programs since January 2016. He is the Idaho member of Unified Strategies Public Relations, a national network of senior-level PR consultants that boasts representation in virtually every major U.S. market. Born and raised in Boise, Tony earned his B.S. in communication from University of Idaho.
Before joining the STEM Action Center, John was a classroom Science teacher for 33 years – the last 30 of which were in the Basin School District in Idaho City, where he also served as secondary principal and superintendent. With the STEM Action Center since July 2018, John is coordinating the Educator Externship, STEM School Leadership, and STEM School Designation programs. He also serves on the STEM AC Ecosystem, Equity, and STEM Diploma teams, as well as supervises the VISTA, Work U and Encore Fellow volunteers. John has a B.S. in Environmental Studies and an M.Ed. in Secondary Curriculum from Western Washington University, and an Ed.S. from the University of Idaho.
Jonathon is an artist and designer with an emphasis in print-media. He is responsible for the visual style of STEM AC designs used in advertising campaigns and public relations. He works with each department to create artwork, images, and informational graphics that clearly communicate the importance and impact of the Idaho STEM AC. Jonathon received a BA in Advertising Design from Boise State University and has over 20 years of experience as an artist and art director working on regional, national, and international marketing campaigns and publications.