Meet Our Team
Dr. Jessica Deshler is the Co-Founder and Director of Grants and Partnerships at STEM Peak Performance, LLC, with over two decades of experience in higher education, research, and leadership. She holds a BS in Mathematics from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, an MS and PhD in Mathematics from the University of New Mexico, and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from West Virginia University (WVU). She has held several key administrative roles, showcasing her leadership and organizational skills. She currently serves as Director of the School of Mathematical and Data Sciences at WVU, and previously held the positions of Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Mathematics Graduate Program Director, Provost’s Fellow for Graduate Academic Affairs, and Acting Associate Dean for Research. In these roles, Dr. Deshler has managed academic programs, led faculty teams, overseen budgets, developed curricula, and supported both students and faculty, demonstrating her ability to drive institutional growth and foster a supportive academic environment.
Dr. Deshler has secured and managed over $6.5 million in grant funding for a wide range of educational and research initiatives. Her funding sources include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and the West Virginia Department of Education, among others.
Key projects include serving as Co-PI on the NSF-funded Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers (M3T) initiative, a $4.5 million project aimed at developing and supporting teacher leaders in West Virginia, and as PI and Dean of Students for the West Virginia Governor’s STEM Institute, a summer residential program for middle school students funded by the WV Department of Education, managing over $740,000. Dr. Deshler was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to provide professional development to graduate students at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, in 2015-2016.
Her grant work extends to addressing critical gaps in STEM education and professional development. As Co-PI on the NSF-funded Peer Mentoring of Graduate Student Instructors in Mathematics Courses project, she oversaw professional development programs, data collection, analysis, and dissemination of results across multiple institutions. As PI on the Women in Mathematics Industry Internships Network Program (WOMI2N), funded by the MAA Tensor Grant, she worked to prepare female graduate students for industry careers by facilitating mentorships, industry placements, and building professional networks.
Dr. Deshler’s expertise in project design, budget management, and program evaluation has contributed to the success of numerous initiatives, with a strong focus on strategic partnerships and improving educational outcomes through innovative, grant-supported projects.