Justin Ballenger

Background

About Justin Ballenger

Dr. H. Justin Ballenger is an Assistant Professor of STEM Education in the Division of Continuing Education & Professional Studies at Morehouse College. He has extensive experience with the implementation of programming that supports the academic development of youth from underserved populations. Dr. Ballenger taught in public schools for eleven years prior to his tenure at Mercer University. He also served as the Development Coordinator for the successful implementation of the Call Me MISTER Program® at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. This program works to recruit, train, and place males of color in middle and elementary schools. In addition, Dr. Ballenger has conducted research with the Clemson University Institute for Biological Interfaces of Engineering (IBIOE) to create inquiry-based lesson modules for middle school students. He has worked with the National Dropout Prevention Center to develop web-based coursework for pre-service teachers who work with underserved populations. Dr. Ballenger’s current research is focused on effective means for establishing organizational networks that improve access to high-quality STEM enrichment programming for underserved populations in the United States and abroad. Dr. Ballenger works in collaboration with a number of STEM focused organizations that support STEM engagement among children from diverse backgrounds from rural, suburban, and urban areas of the Southeastern United States. He is also engaged in international STEM education projects in the Dominican Republic and Kenya. Those projects focus on the sustainable integration of aquaculture systems into high poverty communities and improving digital literacy for school-aged children. The aquaculture systems help to produce sustainable food sources for the communities they are established in. Additional educational partners in those countries use the systems to engage youth in hands-on STEM education designed to enhance technical competence, digital literacy, and promote service-learning.