August 2021

During the May National Science Foundation (NSF) Education and Human Resources (EHR) Advisory Committee meeting, EHR Assistant Director Karen Marrongelle announced that she will be serving as the NSF chief operating officer as of August 1.

Marrongelle has served as EHR assistant director since 2018. Most recently, she has collaborated with NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan on his key priorities, including addressing the “missing millions” in STEM.

“We commend Marrongelle for her commitment to advancing education research, working as a key leader within NSF to promote the importance of equity and inclusion in STEM, and for her compassion toward NSF-supported researchers who sought to balance multiple responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “We further congratulate her as she continues her leadership to advance research and STEM equity across all of NSF. NSF has made a wise choice in selecting Marrongelle as COO.”

Upon the start of Marrongelle’s tenure as chief operating officer in August, senior leadership in EHR will assume acting positions while a search committee is formed for Marrongelle’s successor. Sylvia James, deputy assistant director, will serve as acting EHR assistant director, while Evan Heit, division director for the EHR Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, will serve as acting deputy assistant director.

Prior to joining NSF, Marrongelle served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Portland State University, where she worked to implement student inclusivity measures and establish public-private partnerships to support research She has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and philosophy from Albright College, a master's degree in mathematics from Lehigh University, and a doctorate in mathematics education from the University of New Hampshire.