KidSTREAM Announces Two New Board Members

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Aug. 1, 2019 - PRLog -- KidSTREAM, an emerging children's museum committed to creating a place where kids and families can engage in fun, interactive learning and hands-on/minds-on play, has announced the addition of Jessica Lavariega Monforti and Megan Mescher-Cox to its board of directors. Both new board members bring valuable professional and leadership experience that will support kidSTREAM's mission to provide interactive exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity and motivate learning in science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, agriculture and math (STREAM).

"We are thrilled to welcome Jessica and Megan our board," said Kristie Akl, kidSTREAM's president and founder. "As board members, they bring diverse strengths that support kidSTREAM's mission to provide a meaningful, interactive learning environment full of experimentation, observation and interactive fun."

Lavariega Monforti, Ph.D. is a dean at the College of Arts and Sciences at California Lutheran University, and has landed more than $4 million in major grant funding for the university. Lavariega Monforti has published three books, more than 50 articles and book chapters and has been a contributor to several news articles and broadcasts including the New York Times, La Opinión, and NPR's All Things Considered. An award-winning teacher, leader and scholar, Lavariega Monforti has received the University of Texas Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, Adaljiza Sosa Riddell Award for Exemplary Mentoring of Latino/Undergraduate Students in Political Science, various best research paper awards from major political science associations, as well as institutional leadership awards. She is the founder and co-organizer of the biennial, national Women of Color in Political Science Workshop. Lavariega Monforti holds a doctorate degree in political science from Ohio State University.

Camarillo native Megan Mescher-Cox is a board-certified internist and lifestyle medicine physician at Dignity Health Medical Group, Ventura County where she helps patients achieve well-being in all areas: mentally, physically and emotionally. Mescher-Cox earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, and completed her residency training at Loma Linda University Medical Center. She holds bachelor's degrees in biology and chemistry from Emory University. Mescher-Cox volunteers her time with the international "Walk with A Doc" program, leading free community walks that encourage people to exercise in a fun way while learning ways to improve their health.

Founded in 2016, kidSTREAM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to create an engaging environment for children and families to explore, play and discover; inspiring them to become critical thinkers, innovators, and life-long learners. For more information, visit www.kidstream.org.
,