University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy will join the board that governs the National Science Foundation. She is one of eight new members President Biden appointed to the prestigious National Science Board this week.
Ferrini-Mundy has been the UMaine president since 2018. She is also the University of Maine System’s first vice chancellor for research and innovation, the university said in a statement announcing her appointment Thursday. Her research focuses on topics like calculus learning and STEM education policy. Ferrini-Mundy previously worked in faculty and administrative roles at Michigan State University and the University of New Hampshire.
UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science, research and engineering with a budget of more than $9 billion. The foundation supports about 25% of all federal support for basic research conducted at American colleges and universities, the statement said. The National Science Board oversees the foundation, and advises Congress and the president on matters of science and engineering policy. Its 24 members are leaders in academia and government, often university presidents, and serve six-year terms.
“I am greatly honored by this appointment,” Ferrini-Mundy said. “The board and (National Science Foundation) have played a pivotal role for decades in advancing our nation’s policy, economic and educational interests through investment in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and STEM education. All of those areas are critical to the quality and preparedness of the American workforce and for maintaining our national infrastructure, innovative leadership and competitiveness.”
University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy nominated Ferrini-Mundy to the board.
“Throughout her distinguished career, she has elevated excellence in science and engineering and in doing so, enhanced the lives of countless Americans and our country’s innovation economy and global competitiveness,” he said.
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