STeAM Team

Dr. Shobe provides primary oversight for all aspects of the STeAM Program. Dr. Shobe is a Professor in the School of Social Work. Her research interests over the past 30 years have primarily been in community economic development, health disparities, and food security for traditionally underserved children and families. She has served as PI or Co-PI on several federal and foundation grants in the past 22 years, managing multiple large research and training grants, disseminating findings through peer-review publications and presentations, and collaborating with interdisciplinary (education, nursing, epidemiology, biology, and health administration) researchers and practitioners. Dr. Shobe has conducted studies related to the food security, health behaviors and/or health literacy, and asset building among low-income Latino immigrants, African American, and Marshallese residents. In addition, she has served as PI or Co-PI on additional grants related to youth and adult college savings programs in Indiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. She has 2-years’ experience as a high school English & French teacher; 2-years’ experience with substance abuse education; research and practice experience with mental health; and is fluent in French with proficiency in Spanish.

Dr. Murphy-Erby, Co-Principal Investigator, is responsible for the CSA Program budget.

Dr. Yvette Murphy-Erby is a Professor of Social Work and has served in other leadership positions across the campus including two separate terms as the director for the School of Social Work, associate dean for the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, interim director for the African and African American Studies Program, vice provost for the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, and vice chancellor for the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Dr. Murphy-Erby conceptualized the IDEALS Institute https://ideals.uark.edu and oversaw its implementation in 2019.

Dr. Murphy-Erby is an accomplished scholar and leader/administrator and has extensive expertise in leading change in organizations, particularly related to addressing structural, institutional, and systemic challenges to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and social and economic justice. She has 18 years of scholarship focusing on underrepresented and underserved populations and, in collaboration with colleagues, has received over $17 million in external funding awards from federal grantors such as NIH, NSF, HRSA, and from State government and Foundations.

Dr. Cheek provides primary oversight for all aspects of the STeAM Summer Camp Program experiences.  Dr. Cheek’s previous experiences in STEM teaching, teacher professional development, and curriculum development provide her with a broad background in both teaching and research.  She is dedicated to the field of STEM education and the integration of academic disciplines and STEM student and teacher research and development.   Dr. Cheek’s primary research focus revolves around the development and implementation of STEM curriculum and instructional methods, with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of underrepresented populations in STEM education and careers.