NSF Education Post

On 1 August, Judith Ramaley became NSF’s assistant director for education and human resources. The job comes with an annual budget of more than $800 million, or about a fifth of NSF’s total funding. It covers all NSF programs in math and science education, from kindergarten through the graduate level. Efforts range from system-wide school improvement programs and mentoring and education programs for underserved female and minority students to undergraduate research stipends and graduate fellowships.

A biologist who has been on the faculties of five universities and served as the president of two, Ramaley has an impressive track record on education issues. Most recently, as president of the University of Vermont, she spearheaded an alliance with state colleges and education officials aimed at improving education from early childhood through advanced degrees, with a focus on distance learning and an eye to the state’s workforce needs.

Ramaley succeeds Judith Sunley, who served in an interim capacity for two years and is now a senior adviser to NSF director Rita Colwell.