Cara Shopa Graham

Cara Shopa Graham spent her early career as an educator, consultant and counselor in the behavioral health sector. She focused on psychoeducational assessment of students with learning differences and on counseling children and families facing trauma and bereavement. As an instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College, Cara spearheaded study skills training and professional development programming to support student success and achievement. At the University of Arizona’s Office of Societal Impact, Cara contributes to initiatives that enhance the research enterprise through community engaged projects and that expand access to workforce development and higher education in STEM. Her work with the Bridge to STEAM and Come Back Home programs help strengthen pathways for Native American students and tribal communities to participate in the world class research and education opportunities supported by the Office of Research & Partnerships (ORP). Cara supports the SARSEF “PRISM” program which provides mentor training to U of A graduate students to mentor rural and Title I high school students in an authentic research internship. As the co-chair of the Science City Committee, Cara brings U of A research projects and community organizations to the Tucson Festival of Books each March to advance STEM literacy in our community.