Mark Harrell is the Engineering Consultant & Director of KYTSA within the Office of Career and Technical Education at the Kentucky Department of Education. Since graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education he has made it his mission to prepare K-12 students for the STEM workforce. Mark started his career teaching students the value of life-long STEM learning at Bryan Station High School in Lexington, KY. The opportunity arose to teach at Franklin County Career-Tech Center and he built one of the top Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering Pathways in KY. During his time in Franklin County he transitioned to District STEM Coordinator before accepting a position at PLTW. He spent three years as the Director of School Engagement working with schools in Kentucky and Tennessee to implement and sustain their PLTW programs. Mark has a master’s degree in Career and Technical Education Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. He is a current resident of Frankfort, KY and is married to Erin Harrell with two children Treyton and Elliotte.