Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana has named Dana Calfee as director of The Excel Center, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults, which is currently enrolling students at its newest location in Columbus.
Orientation is ongoing and classes formally begin in September.
Calfee began her career as a secondary science and computer science educator at Greensburg Community Schools (2017-2021) and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. (2006-2017). In this role, she collaborated with stakeholders to secure grant funding to integrate STEM learning opportunities across the curriculum and acted as thought leader and champion of the implementation of the Universal Design for Learning to promote inclusivity and equity in the design of science and computer science learning environments.
Next Calfee joined the Indiana Department of Education as the STEM and computer science specialist, where she was tasked with developing and executing training for schools receiving funds from the STEM Program Alignment Fund. As the computer science state supervisor for Indiana, she also assisted with the development of strategic programming to expand student participation in computer science and provide high-quality professional development to Indiana’s educators.
“Dana brings a wealth of leadership and experience to her new role as director of The Excel Center in Bartholomew County,” said Betsy K. Delgado, senior vice president and chief mission and education officer at Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana. “Her expertise and connections within the STEM field are a huge asset for students seeking in-demand careers that offer family-sustaining wages, while also supporting workforce development in the state.”
Calfee earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in general studies as well as her master’s degree in science education with a focus in chemistry, physical science and computer technology from Indiana University Bloomington. She also served as president of the Indiana Chapter of the Computer Science Teacher Association from 2019-2021.
In her spare time, Calfee enjoys kayaking on the tri-state waterways and connecting with the trails in Indiana’s state park system.