Dr. Pamela Olivia Gilchrist is an award-winning STEM education leader, researcher, and strategist with over 25 years of experience designing, directing, and scaling inclusive learning programs across K–20 education. She currently serves as the Director of K–12 Programs at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, leading initiatives to expand access to STEM and computer science education for historically underrepresented students, including Black, Indigenous, multilingual, and neurodiverse youth.

At Virginia Tech, Dr. Gilchrist has secured over $2.5 million in grant funding and developed cutting-edge programs in artificial intelligence, robotics, and hybrid learning. She has cultivated partnerships with Amazon, AT&T, Boeing, CodeVA, and school districts to advance equity in STEM education and empower the next generation of innovators.

As Principal Consultant at Gilchrist Progressive Consulting, LLC, she coaches executives, faith leaders, women in leadership, and nonprofits on strategy and program development. She created a leadership curriculum grounded in biblical principles for medical professionals, engineers, and technology leaders, helping clients build lasting impact.

Her previous roles include Director at North Carolina State University’s Science House, where she was a Principal Investigator for NSF- and Burroughs Wellcome-funded STEM and photonics programs, impacting thousands of students and teachers. She has taught graduate research methods at North Carolina A&T State University and held educational roles in the U.S. and U.K.

Dr. Gilchrist is a sought-after speaker, with presentations at SPIE, ETOP, NSTA, AAPT, and ASEE, and her work is published in Education Sciences. She has served on national boards, including the Virginia Department of Education’s Computer Science Advisory Group and the National Center for Women Innovation. Her honors include the North Carolina Science Leadership Award and recognition as a Spectacular Woman in Education.

Dr. Gilchrist holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University, a master’s in Instructional Technology, and a bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education. Her leadership is grounded in purpose, powered by research, and driven by a belief that equitable education transforms lives and communities.