Dr. Ronda Jenson, professor of psychological sciences in the NAU School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and research director at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), has accepted an appointment with the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a program director in the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES), Directorate for STEM Education (EDU). Dr. Jenson’s appointment is through an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) appointment to the NSF.
Dr. Jenson’s term as a program director began March 25, 2024. Program directors oversee NSF’s merit review process and help define funding opportunities. Additionally, program directors play an important outreach role in sharing information about current and future funding opportunities to the STEM research and education community. Dr. Jenson will primarily be working with the Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education and Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science Initiative (INCLUDES) programs.
Over the past decade, Dr. Jenson has maintained an active NSF research and training portfolio dedicated to fostering inclusive STEM education from kindergarten through postsecondary levels. Her work has spanned formal and informal STEM environments, focusing on effective teaching and learning methods for neurodivergent students and students with disabilities. “I am excited about sharing my passion for inclusive STEM education, supporting principal investigators, and contributing to cutting-edge ideas that truly have an impact on increasing diversity in STEM disciplines,” Dr. Jenson remarked.
“In this role, Ronda will be at the forefront of advancing research and training for people with disabilities in STEM education and STEM employment,” said Dr. Kelly Roberts, executive director of IHD. “Her commitment to students with disabilities – of all ages – is steadfast. Through this appointment, she will be able to advance research and knowledge in ways that benefit students with disabilities and bring her expertise back to IHD when she returns.”