Will Lead The Development, Implementation Of The Agency's
Education Programs
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced Tuesday the
selection of Leland D. Melvin as the agency's new associate
administrator for education, effective immediately. He succeeds
James L. Stofan, who had served in an acting capacity since the
spring.
Leland Melvin
Since April 2010, Melvin has been assigned to the Office of
Education at Headquarters leading the Education Design Team. His
job was to develop a strategy to improve NASA's education offerings
and to assist the agency in establishing goals, structures,
processes and evaluation techniques to implement a sustainable and
innovative science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
education program. He also served as the partnership development
manager for the agency's new Summer of Innovation education
initiative, aimed at engaging middle school students in STEM
activities during the summer break.
"I am delighted to have Leland lead the Office of Education at a
time when engaging more students in STEM-related studies and
careers is so critical -- not only to NASA but to our nation,"
Bolden said. "With his dedication and passion, I know we will have
a bright future in education under his leadership."
"I also want to thank Jim Stofan for the outstanding job he has
done leading the Office of Education since April," Bolden added.
"He launched several key new education programs during his tenure
and will continue to be a valued asset as he resumes his previous
role as deputy associate administrator."
As associate administrator, Melvin will be responsible for the
development and implementation of the agency's education programs
that strengthen student involvement and public awareness about
NASA's scientific goals and missions.
"My passion for education was inspired by my parents, who were
both middle school teachers," Melvin said. "I witnessed the direct
impact that educators can have in a community and on an
individual's destiny. NASA's people, programs and resources are
unparalleled. Our unique assets are poised to engage students, to
captivate their imagination and to encourage their pursuit of
STEM-related studies that are so vital to their future. This is an
exciting challenge and I am ready to work with Administrator
Bolden, my colleagues at NASA, our partners, and students across
the country to usher in a new era of opportunity to inspire that
next generation of explorers."
Melvin joined NASA in 1989 as an aerospace research engineer at
the agency's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. He joined the
astronaut corps in 1998 and has served as a mission specialist on
two space shuttle missions: STS-122 in 2008 and STS-129 in 2009. He
has logged more than 565 hours in space. In 2003, Melvin co-managed
the former Educator Astronaut Program, which recruited teachers to
become fully-trained astronauts in an effort to connect space
exploration with students across the country.
Melvin earned a bachelor of science in chemistry from the
University of Richmond and a master's degree in materials science
engineering from the University of Virginia.