Jolynne Tschetter has been named executive director at the North Dakota Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. From this role, Tschetter is responsible for the day-to-day operations, management and overall coordination of this statewide program to advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics in education and the workforce.
ND EPSCoR helps students, supports quality faculty, grows research infrastructure capacity and funds scientific projects that positively impact the state’s economy and its citizens. The ND EPSCoR Steering Committee evaluates and advises the program.
“I worked with Jolynne during her time as interim director am very pleased that Jolynne will serve as ND EPSCoR Executive Director,” says John Warford, who chairs the ND EPSCoR State Steering Committee and is a member of North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. “She brings vision, extensive experience and the leadership skills necessary to sustain and improve the program. I look forward to her leadership as Executive Director. Her experience in both the public and private sectors will be a great asset to ND EPSCoR and the committee.”
Tschetter has been executive director of the Innovation and Economic Development Department at the NDSU Office of Research and Creative Activity, executive director of the NDSU Research Foundation, and Manager of Science and Technology Business Development at the North Dakota Department of Commerce. She has a doctorate in veterinary science and bachelor’s in biotechnology.
“As interim executive director over the past six months, Jolynne has provided the leadership and knowledge required to broaden and diversify North Dakota’s STEM pathway from elementary through graduate school and into the workforce,” said NDSU Vice President for Research and Creativity Colleen Fitzgerald. “That transition must be facilitated and Jolynne is exactly the person students, schools and enterprise need to strategize, sustain and continually enhance the process.”
ND EPSCoR partners with 10 institutions of higher learning to develop, implement, fund and manage several STEM-related programs across North Dakota. The group administers several federal awards to support STEM research capacity and competitiveness while informing and communicating science to North Dakota stakeholders.
“These partnerships and programs represent how ND EPSCoR supports North Dakota communities, industries and citizens. Jolynne and I share the vision for ND EPSCoR to continue building trusted relationships and collaborations, to be strategic and to leverage and fulfill our mission of serving the state,” Fitzgerald said. “Students, faculty, institutions and business owners already benefit from Jolynne’s work at ND EPSCoR and can be excited about those she will generate as executive director.
