James L. Moore III named assistant director at National Science Foundation
University’s chief diversity officer begins new role this month
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The Ohio State University |
The Ohio State University announced that James L. Moore III has been named the assistant director for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Education and Human Resources (EHR) Directorate. Moore, vice provost for diversity and inclusion and Distinguished Professor of Urban Education, will be a member of NSF’s senior leadership team, providing oversight to nearly 200 personnel and overseeing a budget of over $1 billion. He will assume the role on Aug. 22.
“This is bittersweet news for Ohio State,” said Melissa L. Gilliam, executive vice president and provost, “but an exciting opportunity for Dr. Moore, who will extend his leadership and impact to a national level in leading EHR, which aims to achieve excellence in STEM education at all levels and in all settings across the country.”
EHR, one of seven NSF directorates, supports the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians and educators.
"Becoming the new EHR assistant director is an opportunity that I do not take lightly. It extends the opportunity to be a part of the director's brain trust in bringing the 'Missing Millions' and developing critical strategy within NSF to attract, inspire and cultivate more U. S. citizens for careers in STEM," Moore said. "With the recent passing of the 'CHIPS and Science Act,' there are immense opportunities to improve STEM educational and workforce outcomes. I am very excited about the possibilities and ready to run the marathon at a sprinter's pace to put forth strong initiatives that build a robust, diverse and inclusive STEM workforce throughout the country."
This is the second time that Moore has been called to service at the federal level. From 2015 to 2017, he was a program director for Broadening Participation in Engineering in NSF’s Directorate for Engineering.
"James L. Moore III brings great leadership skills and vision to our agency and is poised to develop new mechanisms and models for reaching the missing millions in our country," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "His efforts will inspire the next-generation STEM workforce as they unleash their potential and advance discovery and innovation across the United States. I am thrilled to have him join the agency at this important time when access to quality STEM learning experiences for individuals, family and communities is recognized as a national imperative."
“This new appointment speaks to his national leadership in diversity and inclusion, STEM education and workforce development,” Gilliam said.
Moore has served as the university’s vice provost for diversity and inclusion, chief diversity officer (CDO), and leader of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) since 2017. He previously served as associate vice provost for diversity and inclusion from 2011 to 2015. Moore has served on the Ohio State faculty since 2002 and is the inaugural Education and Human Ecology Distinguished Professor of Urban Education, as well as the first executive director for the Todd Anthony Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male within ODI.
Moore’s accomplishments over his term as CDO and vice provost include implementing the ODI Strategic Roadmap; increasing grants, contracts and philanthropic contributions; improving student success and university experiences; and creating partnerships across the university, the state and other parts of the world.
A priority under Moore’s leadership was student success and working with the Office of International Affairs to enhance global education opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a result of these efforts, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) honored Moore with the Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award.
Ohio State will remain Moore’s home institution while he serves at NSF, and he will continue to hold his faculty appointment.
A national search for ODI’s new leader will be launched soon. Until a new leader is in place, Assistant Vice Provost Yolanda Zepeda will serve as interim vice provost for ODI, and Andreá Williams, director of The Women’s Place and associate professor in the Department of English, will serve as interim associate vice provost.
