Mason Named SENCER Leadership Fellow

Fairmont State University Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Phil Mason has been appointed by the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement as a SENCER Leadership Fellow.

Mason is one of 76 educators elected to the inaugural class of Fellows by the members of the organization's National Fellowship Board. The Fellows were chosen from a field of more than 1,300 faculty members and academic leaders. SENCER, which stands for Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities, is a program of the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement, a research center affiliated with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

SENCER is a faculty development and science education reform initiative that engages students in science and mathematics by focusing coursework on real world problems. SENCER Leadership Fellows are distinguished educators whose leadership and commitment to the improvement of science, technology, engineering or mathematics education is exemplary. Fellows are appointed to 18-month terms during which they work to expand on their existing campus work, mentor colleagues and disseminate results regionally and nationally.

A faculty team organized by Mason created "Coal in the Heart of Appalachian Life," a SENCER-inspired learning community that earned developmental support from the National Science Foundation and was one of the first projects to be designated as a SENCER national model.

"It is wonderful that Phil is being recognized for his work," said FSU President Dan Bradley. "The 'Coal in the Heart of Appalachian Life' program had a major impact on our campus and our students."

Mason has represented FSU at several SENCER dissemination events and continues to support the development of new SENCER initiatives on campus.

"Vice President Mason's association with SENCER has yielded significant results on the Fairmont campus and nationally," said David Ferguson, distinguished service professor of Stony Brook University and Chairman of the National Fellowship Board.

As a SENCER Leadership Fellow, Mason will support new course development at FSU, consult with colleagues from other campuses in the region and advise the national program on ways to strengthen science education reform.

"We in the National Fellowship Board and the National Center have the highest hopes and expectations for the success of Phil's efforts and look forward to having the benefit of his advice and counsel as we plan for the future," said David Burns, Executive Director of the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement.