Vice President of Education Candidate - Dr. Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert

Dr. Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert is an Associate Professor and Chair of Marine Science at Stockton University. Dr. Pfeiffer-Herbert holds an M.S. in Ocean Science from the University of California Santa Cruz and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island. Her research background is in the use of acoustic and other sensors for water column measurements in coastal and estuarine environments. She is also a leader in developing curriculum resources for the use of ocean observing data in undergraduate courses. Dr. Pfeiffer-Herbert has served as Secretary of the MTS Education Committee, Chair of the Scholarship Subcommittee, and is a faculty advisor for the New Jersey statewide MTS Student Section. 

Indicate one or two key goals that you hope to accomplish in this position over the next 3 years:
In the VP of Education position, I would look forward to contributing to ongoing work that includes core educational programming, strengthening communication across student sections and the EMERGE program for early career professionals. Two key goals: 1) Explore ways to increase content and use of career development resources for students and ECOPs. There is a wealth of knowledge offered in seminars, workshops, and other efforts throughout the MTS network. There is a need to efficiently coordinate and advertise these resources. 2) Support the next phase of development of MTS-sponsored microcredentials. Microcredentials are an emerging method for professionals in their early career or those seeking to update their workforce skills. The value of a microcredential depends on the rigor of the curriculum, recognition of the sponsor of the credential, and wide adoption. MTS is well positioned to succeed in these areas. 

Discuss the qualities and experience you possess that make you a strong candidate for the position for which you are running:
I bring strong familiarity with education-related initiatives and discussions at MTS through my service on the MTS Education Committee. My role as an educator based at an undergraduate institution with an emphasis on providing hands-on exposure to marine technology gives me practical experience that I can bring to the VP of Education position. I was involved in the initiation of the New Jersey MTS Student Section in 2018, the first statewide section that brings together multiple academic institutions to share complementary opportunities and mentorship for our students. In my continued role as a faculty advisor to the student section, I have learned approaches to foster cross-campus collaboration and sustain sections through ebbs and flows of student leadership, which I would look forward to sharing more widely across our student sections. I strive to develop more on-ramps to marine technology-related careers and to broaden perspectives on career opportunities.