Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center)
Colloquium Series
Presents
Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President of the University of Maine
Monday, April 3, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Barrows Hall 119 and Zoom
(link and passcode available by email)
From REUs to RLEs: The potential of research for illuminating issues of impact, assessment, and developmental growth
Abstract:
The investment made by the federal government, the private sector, and universities across the nation to support undergraduate student participation in research activity, within STEM fields and beyond, is significant. That investment is based on assumptions and evidence about the impact of such experiences on a number of outcomes, ranging from attitude toward science, to inclination to go to graduate school, to learning of specific content. I will discuss my experience at the National Science Foundation in bringing an education research perspective to NSF’s investments in education, including to the REU program. The focus will include the conceptualization, implementation, and ongoing assessment of the UMS TRANSFORMS-supported RLE program, together with preliminary perspectives for a developmental framework for research learning.
Bio:
Joan Ferrini-Mundy became president of the University of Maine (UMaine) and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias (UMM) in July 2018. In 2021, she was appointed vice chancellor for research and innovation for the University of Maine System (UMS). In this role, she leads a formalized effort to make UMaine’s research infrastructure accessible to and supportive of all universities and faculty in the System.
Her distinguished career spans the fields of mathematics education, STEM education and policy, teacher education, and research administration. Ferrini-Mundy has published more than 100 articles and has mentored 10 doctoral students.
For more details, see Dr. Ferrini-Mundy’s biography page: umaine.edu/president.
To be added to the Colloquium email list and receive the Zoom link and passcode, please email the RiSE Center: risecenter@maine.edu.
To request a reasonable accessibility accommodation, please contact the RiSE Center by email or phone: 207.581.4672.
