Brandy Russell, associate professor of chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College, is the new Director of the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science as of Sept. 1.
The Consortium, founded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, provides professional development opportunities for students and faculty in science and mathematics. As director, Russell will collaborate with students and faculty at the 13 member campuses to develop high-quality programming with the goal of improving undergraduate education.
“The Midstates Consortium is a highly respected organization among the top colleges in the Midwest,” said Darrin Good, associate provost and dean of sciences and education at Gustavus. “Having Dr. Russell as the director is an incredible asset to our campus.”
The Consortium holds two undergraduate research symposia annually. This year, the symposium for the Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science will be held Nov. 2-3 at Washington University in St. Louis, and the symposium for the Biological Sciences and Psychology will be held Nov. 9-10 at the University of Chicago.
Other major activities include the annual New Faculty Workshop and other faculty development workshops and webinars, as well as funding to allow short-term consultations and seminar speaker exchanges among member institutions. Gustavus has been a member of the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science since 2008.
With Russell’s appointment, Gustavus will become the home campus for the Consortium. “Being the host campus for the Midstates Consortium will bring even greater recognition to the profound and storied programs in the sciences and math at Gustavus,” said Good.
Other members of the Midstates Consortium include Beloit College, Carthage College, Colorado College, Grinnell College, Hope College, Knox College, Lawrence University, Luther College, Macalester College, St. Olaf College, University of Chicago, and Washington University in St. Louis.
Russell holds a B.A. degree in chemistry from Alfred University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from the University of Rochester. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began her career at Gustavus in 2005.
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