Marilyn Suiter facts for kids

Marilyn J. Suiter is a geologist who has had a very interesting career. She has been a teacher, worked in the oil and gas industry, and served the public. For many years, she has worked hard to bring more people from different backgrounds into the field of geosciences. She did this through her leadership roles at the American Geosciences Institute and the National Science Foundation.

Her Journey into Geology

Marilyn Suiter first started college at Franklin & Marshall College. She planned to study physics. However, she soon found that geology was more exciting and challenging. Geology combines many different sciences, and she loved that about it. So, she switched her major to geosciences.

After finishing her first degree, Suiter became a science teacher. From 1970 to 1977, she taught science to students in grades 5 through 12 in Philadelphia. She then worked for the United States Geological Survey for four years. After this, she went back to school to earn her master's degree.

Studying Earth Science

Marilyn Suiter earned her master's degree in earth science from Wesleyan University in 1981. After her studies, she worked in the oil and gas industry. She joined Cities Service Oil and Gas in the early 1980s.

However, in the mid-1980s, oil prices dropped a lot. Because of this, Suiter decided to leave the oil and gas industry.

Helping Geosciences Grow

From 1987 to 1997, Marilyn Suiter held several important jobs at the American Geosciences Institute. She worked as a director for special education programs, education and human resources, and career development.

At the American Geosciences Institute, she also led the Minority Participation Program. This program was created to help more people from diverse backgrounds join the geosciences field. Every year, this program gives scholarships to students from groups that are not often seen in geoscience careers.

Since 1998, Suiter has worked for the National Science Foundation. There, she has continued to lead programs that support geoscience education and diversity. She is currently a program director in NSF's Division of Human Resource Development, which focuses on developing human talent in science and engineering.

Serving the Geoscience Community

Throughout her career, Marilyn Suiter has been very active in the geoscience community. She has served on many committees and panels for various important organizations. These include the Association for Women Geoscientists, the American Geosciences Institute, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Science Foundation.

She has also presented at conferences and written papers about geoscience education. Her work often focuses on how to make the geosciences more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

Awards and Recognitions

Marilyn Suiter has received many awards for her important work. Here are some of them:

• 2018 Geological Society of America Distinguished Service Award
• 2018 American Geosciences Institute Explorer Award
• 2010 Geological Society of America Bromery Award
• 2007 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• 1994 Association of Women Geoscientists Distinguished Service Award
• 1988 President of the Association for Women Geoscientists
• Fellow of the Geological Society of America
• Fellow of the Association for Women in Science