The Texas statewide assessment of academic skills in 1997 indicated that >55 % of the student population failed to master the mathematics objectives set by the test criteria and 42 % of the mathematics teachers at the secondary level in the East Texas region were categorized as underqualified to teach mathematics at that level. The issue of under-qualified teachers in the mathematics classroom was addressed and the National Science Foundation funded a program to qualify teachers at the middle (4-8) and secondary (8-12) levels. The urgency of the national call for reform in STEM education led SFASU to propose the Texas Middle and Secondary Mathematics Project (TxMSMP) designed to improve teacher capacity in mathematics and, in turn, impact student performance in mathematics in the grades 4- 12. Teachers in the TxMSMP were prepared as Texas Master Mathematics Teachers. Students within collaborating districts were engaged in summer Institutes led by TxMSMP teachers and the SFASU mathematics faculty. An increased awareness and involvement of college faculty in the professional development of teachers in all in STEM fields ensued. A graduate program designed for K-12 Mathematics teachers was offered. Successes achieved in Mathematics performance led to the development of similar programs to encourage and provide leadership in the fields of Physics, Engineering, Biology, Geology, and Chemistry. An increase in STEM competencies and an awareness of the need to recruit majors in STEM fields resulted. To accomplish this and widen the Stem pipeline, SFASU created the STEM Research and Learning Center. Faculty Research Engagement Grants enhance the ability of faculty to carry out basic research which engages undergraduates and secondary teachers in support of the over-all objective of bringing scientific and mathematical exploration to all student levels. Current efforts address the under-representation of women with degrees in STEM career fields.