Karen Marrongelle facts for kids
Karen Ann Marrongelle is an American expert in teaching mathematics. She especially likes collaborative learning, which means students learn together in groups. In 2018, she got a very important job. She became the head of education and human resources at the National Science Foundation. This organization helps science and learning across the United States. Before that, she was a leader, called a dean, at Portland State University.
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Early Life and School
Karen Ann Marrongelle grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She went to Allentown Central Catholic High School. After high school, she attended Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania.
At Albright College, she studied mathematics. She also helped run the college radio station, WXAC. She finished her studies there in 1995.
Higher Education
After Albright College, she continued her education. She earned a master's degree in mathematics in 1997. This degree was from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Then, she went to the University of New Hampshire. There, she earned her doctorate degree. Her special area of study was how students learn math. Her big research project was about how students use physics to understand calculus.
Her Career Journey
In 2001, Karen Ann Marrongelle started working at Portland State University. She was a professor in the math department. She taught students and did research there.
Working at the National Science Foundation
From 2007 to 2009, she took a break from Portland State. During this time, she worked at the National Science Foundation. This is a government agency that supports science and engineering research.
Leadership Roles at Portland State
When she returned to Portland State, she took on more leadership jobs. She helped set academic rules for students. She also helped plan how the university would grow.
She became the interim dean of liberal arts and sciences. This means she was a temporary leader for a group of different subjects. In 2015, she officially became the dean. As dean, she was in charge of many different departments.
