March 6, 2024 — Marist College has appointed Dr. Ron Buckmire as Dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics and Professor of Mathematics, effective August 1, following a national search. Over the course of more than three decades at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Dr. Buckmire held various leadership roles, including Mathematics Department Chair, Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs, and Director of the Core Program.

Dr. Buckmire recently served as the Lead Program Director at the National Science Foundation for the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program, which provides grants to colleges and universities to offer scholarships for academically talented students with financial need majoring in STEM disciplines. Additionally, he spent part of his 2022 sabbatical in a year-long position as visiting research faculty at the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics at Brown University, focusing on the intersections of data science and social justice.

Hancock Center, home of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist College.

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Ron to Marist as our next Dean of Computer Science and Mathematics,” said Dr. Catherine Gunther Kodat, Provost and Dean of Faculty. “Ron’s passion for access and innovation in STEM education is palpable and infectious. A self-described ‘math evangelist,’ he has emerged as a national leader in efforts to make the worlds of technology and mathematics more diverse and inclusive. His joyful dedication to this work, along with his range of experience as a teacher, an active scholar, and an academic administrator, make him the perfect Dean at this exciting, expansive moment in the School’s history.”

Dr. Buckmire’s leadership of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics comes at a crucial time as emerging technologies and issues such as AI, cybersecurity, the responsible use of data, and augmented reality are rapidly reshaping industries and creating new opportunities for partnerships.

Born in Grenada and educated primarily in Barbados, Dr. Buckmire earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. With research spanning from implementing computer methods for solving real-world differential equations to promoting social justice through mathematics and data science, he is renowned nationally for his efforts to broaden participation in mathematics among underrepresented groups.

“I look forward to bringing my expertise, experience, and enthusiasm to Marist and working alongside the School’s talented faculty and staff to deliver an exceptional academic experience to our students,” said Dr. Buckmire. “I’m eager to serve a leadership role at this renowned institution and to continue providing Marist’s unique blend of a liberal arts education combined with a focus on professional preparation. These efforts will equip students to succeed in a world where computational complexity and quantitative reasoning are increasingly important.”

Added Marist College President Kevin Weinman: “Dr. Buckmire joins us at a pivotal time in Marist’s history, as our strategic plan - Marist 100 - seeks to ‘improve the world through education.’ He really impressed me with his passion for blending computer science and mathematics education with an emphasis on the enduring value of the liberal arts– a true reflection of the ‘and, not or’ mindset that is the distinctive hallmark of a Marist education. I am confident that Dr. Buckmire will take the School of Computer Science and Mathematics to new heights.”

Currently, Dr. Buckmire serves as the Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), the largest professional society of its kind in the world. Dr. Buckmire is also one of the co-founders of Spectra, the association for LGBTQ+ mathematicians and their allies. In 2023, he became the fourth African American and the first openly LGBTQ person to be named a SIAM fellow.

Dr. Buckmire’s appointment follows the exemplary leadership of Dr. Roger Norton, who led the School for more than 20 years and stepped down last year. Currently on a well-deserved sabbatical, he will return to the faculty in academic year 2024-25 as the Linus R. Foy Chair in Computer Science.

Students in the School of Computer Science and Mathematics in the Networking Lab at the Hancock Center. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist College.

About Marist’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics

In a rapidly-evolving, technology-driven world, Marist’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics empowers students to be on the cutting edge of the technological challenges to achieve success. Through both undergraduate and graduate programs, the School combines mathematical and technological education with a liberal arts foundation, offering comprehensive theoretical instruction and practical experiences. These initiatives equip students with the essential skills to excel in their chosen fields.

A longstanding partnership between Marist and the IBM Corporation, which includes the Marist/IBM Joint Study Program, has given Marist a unique advantage among liberal arts colleges in technological education, offering students unparalleled access to cutting-edge technology, internships, and research opportunities.