While she has been serving in an interim capacity for months, Gov. Brad Little appointed Kaitlin Maguire as the new executive director of the Idaho STEM Action Center on Monday.

“I am happy to announce Kaitlin’s appointment as executive director,” Little said in a news release. “Kaitlin has dedicated her life to the pursuit of curiosity in numerous scientific fields, a trait essential for this position. She will serve Idaho’s students and families well in this role as she assists them in preparing for an ever-changing workforce.”

Maguire has been the interim director since November, after Angela Hemingway left to join T-Mobile as the company’s national education advisor. Maguire first started with the STEM Action Center in November 2017 to oversee the iSTEM Professional Development Program. Maguire received her undergraduate biology degree at George Washington University and master’s degree in geology at Ohio University. She earned her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Berkeley in 2013.

Before joining the STEM Action Center, Maguire was a research scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey, where she studied extinct mammals and plants and their effects on the environment.

“It is a critical time for STEM education to ensure Idaho’s workforce has the necessary skills to be prepared for the jobs and challenges of the future,” Maguire said. “I look forward to continuing to serve Idaho students, educators, and community members in preparing them for success and supporting Idaho’s economic prosperity.”

The STEM Action Center was established within the Office of the Governor by the Idaho Legislature in 2015. The center serves to develop grants, training, teacher professional development, and student opportunities aligned to Idaho’s workforce needs from kindergarten to career. Decisions about the STEM Action Center are guided by a nine-member board appointed by the governor.