About

Bilita “Bili” Mattes, D.Ed., Executive Director, STEM-UP Network

As of the summer 2023, Bili is the full-time Executive Director of STEM-UP Network, a social enterprise powered by HarrisburgU. The STEM-UP Network addresses the workforce and gender gap in STEM. The STEM-Up team and community work directly with women in STEM to provide them with real-world strategies and opportunities to build their professional networks and relationships, to mentor and be mentored, to develop their leadership and career skills, and to navigate and advance their careers. STEM-UP specifically targets college students, early career faculty, and early career alumna with its work; and engages more experienced women in STEM professions as mentors, facilitators, and speakers. The network has grown to over 1,000 women and allies with over 100 women who have successfully participated in the research-based Level Up Your STEM Career program and with over 300 women having participated in the signature Mentoring Program.

Bili has over twenty-five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, academic outreach, and program innovation and development. Bili will soon be celebrating her 16-year anniversary at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology where she served as Provost and Chief Academic Officer until July 2023. Harrisburg University is a young STEM-focused institution of higher education built on a competency-based and technology-integrated educational model. As Provost, she was responsible for all aspects of academic and student affairs at the university to include development of all new academic programs and approvals; recruitment and supervision of faculty; oversight of curricular, academic policy, and student success. Prior to being appointed Provost, Bili served HarrisburgU as Associate Provost for Strategic Markets and was responsible for academic outreach, as well as program development at the University.

Prior to joining higher education, her professional background was in training and development with business and industry. Bili received the 2018 Moxie Award from the Women in Technology Group of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania in recognition of the STEM-UP Network’s contributions to workforce development and gender equity in STEM professions. The Network and University were also recognized by Insights Into Diversity Magazine last year with its Inspiring Program in STEM Award. Most recently, Bili was named a Woman of Influence by the Central Penn Business Journal and, along with her colleagues, was recognized by the Whitaker Center Women in STEM awards.