Jeanne L. Narum

Jeanne L. Narum was an influential American educator and policy advocate renowned for her transformative leadership in undergraduate STEM education reform. As the founder and long-time director of Project Kaleidoscope, she became a national catalyst for improving science education through innovative teaching, faculty development, and the design of learning spaces. Her work significantly shaped national discourse and investment in STEM education at liberal arts colleges and research universities across the United States.

Early life and education

Jeanne L. Narum was born in 1934 and grew up in North Dakota. She pursued her higher education in her home state, earning a bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota. Her academic journey continued at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she completed a master's degree, further solidifying her foundation in education and educational administration. These formative experiences in the Midwest and the Rocky Mountains region instilled in her a deep appreciation for the role of regional institutions in serving diverse student populations, a perspective that would later inform her national advocacy.

Career and Project Kaleidoscope

Narum's professional career was dedicated to advancing higher education, initially through roles in student affairs and academic administration. Her pivotal contribution began in 1989 when she founded and became the director of Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL), an initiative initially incubated under the Association of American Colleges and Universities. With support from prominent foundations like the National Science Foundation and the W. M. Keck Foundation, PKAL rapidly evolved into a premier national network. It focused on mobilizing STEM faculty from both private and public institutions to champion evidence-based reforms in pedagogy, curriculum development, and campus planning.

Leadership in STEM education reform

As the leader of Project Kaleidoscope, Narum championed a holistic, systemic approach to reforming undergraduate education in the sciences. She argued compellingly that effective learning required the integration of innovative teaching methods, supportive mentoring structures, and intentionally designed laboratories and classrooms. Her advocacy influenced major funding programs at the National Science Foundation, including the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program and the Academic Research Infrastructure program. She organized influential conferences and authored seminal works like *Planning for Assessing 21st Century Spaces for 21st Century Learners*, guiding institutions such as Davidson College, Harvey Mudd College, and the University of Michigan in transforming their science facilities and educational practices.

Awards and recognition

For her visionary work, Jeanne L. Narum received numerous accolades from the higher education and scientific communities. She was honored with the prestigious American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Women into Careers in the Chemical Sciences. The Council of Independent Colleges awarded her the Academic Leadership Award for her exceptional contributions to liberal arts education. Furthermore, her legacy was cemented through named awards in her honor, such as the Project Kaleidoscope Jeanne L. Narum Award for Institutional Leadership, which continues to recognize transformative work at institutions like Kenyon College and Spelman College.

Personal life and legacy

Jeanne L. Narum passed away in 2014, leaving a profound and enduring legacy on American higher education. Her philosophy, often summarized as "what students do is more important than what we tell them," became a guiding principle for a generation of STEM faculty and administrators. Her work through Project Kaleidoscope, which later evolved into the PKAL organization under the Association of American Colleges and Universities, continues to influence national initiatives like the STEM Education Coalition. Her advocacy ensured that discussions about educational equity, active learning, and institutional transformation remained at the forefront of efforts to prepare future scientists and engaged citizens.

Category:American educators Category:STEM educators Category:People from North Dakota