05/22/2026
First Adventist K–20+ STEM+C Pipeline Consortium Participant Graduates from Oakwood University
On May 8, 2026, Brenden Henley become the first participant of the Adventist K–20+ STEM+C Pipeline Consortium to graduate from Oakwood University (OU). Majoring in Biology with a concentration in Bioengineering, he will continue his journey at Loma Linda University (LLU) as he pursues a Ph.D. Neuroscience and Bioengineering.
Launched in the summer of 2019 the Adventist K–20+ STEM+C Pipeline Consortium is designed to serve as direct connection between Adventist K-12 schools and Adventist Higher Ed institutions. This is achieved by intentionally connecting students engaged in the FLCOE (Florida Conference Office of Education) AE4™ (Adventist Education in the 4th Industrial Revolution) program, with professors and research scientists to collaborate on the multi-year real-word ventures that students embark on as early as the 6th grade. AE4™ is a magnet School-within-a-school program that is operated by the Florida Conference Institute for Leadership and Innovation (FCILI), the research and development arm of FLCOE.
Beginning in high school and continuing throughout his undergraduate journey Brenden collaborated with Dr. Elaine Vanterpool, Ph.D., Chair of the Biological Sciences Department at OU, and Dr. Michael J. Davidson, Ph.D., CPO, Associate Professor of Orthotics & Prosthetics in the School of Allied Health Professions and Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in the School of Medicine at LLU Health, on a series of research projects. These experiences played a pivotal role in shaping his academic trajectory, ultimately influencing his decision to attend OU and pursue Ph.D. at LLU.
In an effort to reimagine Adventist Education, DP Harris, Vice President/CIO, and Fred Armstrong, Director of Innovation at Loma Linda University, along with Frank Runnels, Vice President/Superintendent of Education, George Carvona, Associate Superintendent, and Robert Henley, Innovation Director of the Florida Conference Office of Education, began a series of strategic conversations in 2019 focused on designing a seamless pathway from FLCOE K–12 schools into graduate-level STEM+C (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing) programs at Loma Linda University.
One of the early outcomes of these discussions was the opportunity for FLCOE Innovation students to participate in the Loma Linda University Biomechatronics Collaboratorium during the summer of 2019. The collaboratorium was a research experience where the students worked alongside LLU research scientist and physicians tackling real-word problems.
Recognizing that Loma Linda University primarily is a graduate institution, Robert convened the Adventist K-20+ STEM+C Pipeline Symposium on the campus of Oakwood University on January 3, 2020 to recruit undergraduate institutions to complete the pipeline. Facilitated by Dr. Lesly Pollard, Ph.D., president of OU (2011-2025).
The symposium brought together key leaders and stakeholders from across the Adventist education system and industry. Representing Oakwood University were President Lesly Pollard, Dr. Elaine Vanterpool,Ph.D., Dr. Keneth Laihing Ph.D., and Dr. Lisa James, Steven Lai Hing, Ph.D., Sherine Brown Fraser, Ph.D., . Loma Linda University was represented by DP Harris. Andrews University was represented by Dr. Bill Wolfer, and Southern Adventist University by Glen Carter. Industry partners included Curtis Manning, a NASA engineer and Oakwood University alumnus, and Peter Careniege, CEO of Minimally Invasive Solutions. The purpose of the symposium was to explore the continued development of the K–20+ STEM+C pipeline.
Brenden is not the first pipeline participant to graduate with a STEM+C related degree from an Adventist institution, and he will not be the last. Nicole Hubbard, an alumna of Forest Lake Academy, graduated from Union College with a degree in biochemistry. Taimane Henley, an alumna of Forest Lake Academy, graduated from the nursing program at AdventHealth University and currently serves as a nurse at AdventHealth Orlando.
Several students are currently progressing through the pipeline. Haydee Colon began her innovation journey in the eighth grade while attending Forest City Adventist School and is now a junior at Forest Lake Academy, has been mentored by Dr. Davidson and Dr. Karen Benn Marshall, Ph.D., provost of AdventHealth University. She is developing a medical device to address contraversive pushing.
Ohireime Ahonkhai a junior at Forest Lake Academy began his innovation journey as an eighth grader at Orlando Junior Academy. He is conducting research on ankle injuries in athletes. He has been mentored by Dan Wilson, Ph.D., Clinical Instructor in Physical Therapy at LLU.
Lunahia Ramos, currently an eighth grade student at Forest City Adventist School, began her innovation journey in the seventh grade and is conducting research on the use of AI vision systems to address Alzheimer’s disease. As an AE4™ Innovation Scholar, she had the opportunity to present her research to the Edwin Hernandez, president of Antillean University in Puerto Rico, and his staff. She also participated in the AHU Student Research Event. She will be mentored by Dr. Lauber Martins, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology at AdventHealth University, and Tiffany McIntyre, Community Engagement Manager, AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute.
Amaya Phelps, an eighth grade student at Forest Lake Education Center, began her innovation journey in the seventh grade conducting research on microplastics. After presenting her research at the AHU Student Research Event and InnovationX she has been invited to participate in a summer research experience by Dr. Russ Butler, Ph.D., Director of the AdventHealth University Center for Population Health.
Ethan Louine, Kaleb Perez, and Mia Standley currently eighth graders at North Tampa Christian Academy, began their journey in the seventh grade. They are developing a wearable device to address Hemispatial Neglect. They will be mentored by Dr. Karen Marshall and have been invited to participate in research with Terry Griffin, Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant
Faculty and Global Affairs for the University of South Florida.
Matias Soto, director of the Andrews University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has partnered with FCILI to provide FLCOE AE4™ Innovation students with dual enrollment opportunities in Innovation and space to continue working on the multi-year innovation ventures at the post-secondary level.
Beginning in the 1980s, enrollment in Adventist K–12 schools began to decline. Despite more several change initiatives implemented by the entities from the North American Division to reverse this trend, enrollment has continued to decrease. Between 2003 and 2025, more than 260 Adventist K–12 schools across North America closed due to declining enrollment. This downward trend has also extended into Adventist higher education. The pipeline serves as a protracted recruitment model designed to intentionally cultivate long-term relationships with students, ultimately leading to increased enrollment at Adventist universities.
An FLCOE Innovation Scholar is a student engaged in the AE4™ (Adventist Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution) program, a STEM+C-focused Innovation School-within-a-School model designed to cultivate innovators through personalized, competency-based, multi-year learning experiences.
The Adventist K–20 STEM Pipeline Consortium is composed of FLCOE AE4™ member schools and the following Adventist higher education institutions: AdventHealth University, Andrews University, Antillean University, Oakwood University, and Loma Linda University. Cultivating Innovators!
