NASA MUREP for American Indian and Alaska Native STEM Engagement Partnership Lead, NASA, Suffolk, VA, USA

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes diverse leaders from around the world, representing various identities, voices, and perspectives. List any identities, voices, and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and any other identity you feel comfortable sharing.

Respect for Indigenous Knowledges and Native Americans who have lived on the land for thousands of years is too often overlooked in the study of the geosciences. In my role as Secretary for the Education section I hope to find ways to be an ally and lift the voice of Native scientists. As we seek to build a more inclusive geoscience community, we need to find ways to braid together the many ways of knowing and learning about Earth, its waters, atmosphere and land masses allowing us to build relationship and more effectively face challenges.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

During the pandemic, while many students were out of school and provided only with videos as their science lessons, I launched a science club delivered through a weekly Facebook Live event. Each session allowed students opportunity to explore science topics and learn about their own place, building science identity and understanding in a culturally relevant way. @SciencewithNonnie ended in the fall, when students returned to the classroom, but the recordings remain available on Facebook.

As one of the elected leaders of your section, how will you partner with your president and president-elect to communicate with and engage your members to help implement AGU’s strategic plan including its mission and vision?

Communication is a most critical element in building relationships. As secretary for the Education section I hope to build many new relationships and strengthen existing ones through partnering with the president and president-elect to determine who needs to be “at the table” with us and what partnerships and collaborations are needed to build a more inclusive geoscience community.

Section affiliations:

Education