The Science Learning Center (SLC) is pleased to announce that Joe Salvatore has been named its new Director, effective April 1st. Joe succeeds Claire Sandler who was the first SLC Director and retired December 2016 after 19 years with the department.

Joe brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the SLC to his new role. He began with the SLC as the Study Group Program Manager in 2004, was promoted to Assistant Director in 2007 and then to Associate Director in 2013. In these prior positions, Joe was integral in growing the Study Group Program for many gateway science courses from 130 to nearly 600 groups annually. He was also involved in the development of the SLC Tutoring and Mentorship Programs, and the creation of the M-BIO program.

Joe brings many strengths to this position including a strong vision for the SLC’s contribution to STEM education and to the ongoing advancement of the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) goals. Joe has supervised the development and implementation of ongoing training programs that incorporate sessions on intercultural competence, diversity, and inclusiveness for the undergraduate students who serve as SLC study group facilitators, peer tutors and peer mentors. Joe has several years of experience working successfully with science departments and faculty, and always strives to incorporate best practices in the support of student learning, based on current research on human learning, motivation, and resilience.

The SLC is happy to welcome Joe as our new leader, and would like to give special thanks to Professor John Wolfe (Chemistry), who co-chaired the search committee with Assistant Dean Marjorie Horton, and Professor Gus Evrard (Physics and Astronomy) for their involvement and guidance throughout the selection process.