University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy was appointed by President Joe Biden to the National Science Foundation’s advisory board. As part of her new role, she will join other board members in overseeing funding and policy decisions of the $9 billion dollar agency that awards research and development grants to scientists and engineers across the country.
The White House announced Ferrini-Mundy’s appointment to the National Science Board Tuesday, along with seven other appointees. The board is a 24-person council that advises the President and Congress on science and engineering policy issues.
The UMaine president previously worked at the foundation as its chief operating officer and, before that, led its education and human resources department.
“Ferrini-Mundy is an active leader nationally and in Maine,” said the White House announcement. “During her six years as president, Ferrini-Mundy has introduced changes and efforts to position UMaine as a leader in advancing Maine’s workforce and economy, with focus on inclusion, learner success, and the integration of learning and research.”
The UMaine president said she is excited to return in an advisory capacity, helping shape the federal government’s priorities on funding science research. A particular interest of hers is promoting STEM education and workforce development, she said, since it’s an important issue in Maine and nationally.
“What I am pleased about is that the University of Maine will have a seat at the table through my participation in the national dialogue about the advancement of science,” she said.
“It’s about being in a position to learn as much as you can from other places in order to bring back the best possible assessment of current issues into the day-to-day work of being a president.”
Under Ferrini-Mundy’s leadership, UMaine became the state’s only university classified as an R1 by the Carnegie Foundation, a designation for doctoral universities with the highest research activity.
The National Science Board appointment is a six-year term, but it can change after an election, since technically board members are part of an advisory body appointed by the president. Typically, once the appointments are made, board members complete their terms, but it is unclear how the upcoming election may change things, Ferrini-Mundy said.
“I’m very hopeful that it’s a six year term where I’m able to make a difference over that time,” Ferrini-Mundy said.
She also hopes the lessons she learns while on the board can help her guide Maine’s science and technology plan, which is meant to compare related advancements in other states and address those gaps.
“I feel like I’ve got direct experience in some of the work I’ve been doing in Maine to what it looks like on the ground, to be advancing science, technology and engineering,” she said.
“That’ll be a part of what I’m able to bring to the discussions at the NSB. And at the same time, I’ll be able to learn in depth about where the country may be headed, and what kinds of challenges we face, and learn my lessons from those about how to help here in Maine.”
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