ITEEA Names VCSU a STEM School of Excellence
Assistant Professor Clayton Mannie recognized as Emerging Leader
VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University has been named a 2025-26 STEM School of Excellence, and assistant professor Clayton Mannie was recognized as an Emerging Leader by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).
This is the second consecutive year that VCSU has received the ITEEA recognition, which honors outstanding schools that have demonstrated a commitment to providing a robust integrative STEM education program.
Schools receiving the award have undergone a rigorous application process, showcasing their exemplary STEM programs and best practices. VCSU was one of just seven universities nationwide to receive the STEM School of Excellence designation.
“This recognition reflects the commitment, innovation, and collaborative efforts of our faculty, staff, and students in advancing STEM education at VCSU,” said Peder Gjovik, Chair of the Department of Technology and STEM Education. “Being named a STEM School of Excellence by ITEEA is a tremendous honor and underscores our dedication to meeting the highest standards in technology and engineering education.”
VCSU offers a Bachelor of Science in technology education and has STEM certificates for both elementary and secondary educators. VCSU is also home to the Great Plains STEM Education Center and the INSTEM (Indians into STEM) program. INSTEM annually brings Native American students to campus for week-long STEM academies in the summer. Other STEM-related initiatives on campus include use of the VCSU Planetarium for K-12 classes and community presentations, and VCSU’s annual Marketplace for Kids event, where elementary and middle school students explore a wide variety of careers through fun experiments and presentations.
Clayton Mannie, assistant professor for technology and STEM Education, is one of seven outstanding teachers nationwide to receive the Emerging Leader recognition from ITEEA.
Mannie earned a VCSU bachelor’s degree in technology education in 2006 and then finished a VCSU master’s degree in technology education in 2016. He returned to campus in 2020 as an assistant professor in the technology department.
VCSU and Mannie will officially receive the awards in March at the ITEEA 88th annual conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
About ITEEA
ITEEA’s STEM School of Excellence recognition underscores the importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world and highlights the critical role that schools play in nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. ITEEA (www.iteea.org) is the professional organization for technology, innovation, design, and engineering educators. Its mission is to advance technological and engineering capabilities for all by nurturing professionalism, growth, and opportunities in the education community. ITEEA strengthens the profession through leadership, professional development, membership services, publications, and classroom activities.