Manager, Minority University Research and Education Program
Dr. Carl S. Person
In his role as manager of the Minority University Research and Education Programs, Carl S. Person, who holds a doctorate in education, is responsible for helping to ensure the participation of underrepresented and underserved populations in NASA’s programs, projects and activities. Person has served as the agency’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program manager since joining NASA in 1999 as a university affairs specialist in the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. He currently serves as the agency’s liaison to the White House Initiative Offices on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Person frequently participates in conferences, workshops and other activities designed to increase the awareness, knowledge and participation of underrepresented and underserved groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines and careers.
Before joining NASA, Person provided 20 years of distinguished service to the U.S. Department of Education in a variety of positions ranging from an education program specialist to chief of the Accrediting Agency Evaluation branch and chief of the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities branch. However, his most challenging and rewarding positions were held simultaneously the two years before joining NASA. Person served in a dual capacity as director of the Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Service and as executive director of the HBCU Capital Financing Program. As the Education Service director, his office had responsibility for administering 15 higher education programs with more than a billion-dollar budget. All of the achievements in his work with the Department of Education took place within the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Person earned a baccalaureate degree in political science from Fayetteville State University, a master’s degree in education administration from Howard University and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Virginia Tech.
As a community leader, Person is on the board of African American Adoptions, Inc. and serves as a trained student mentor.
