Cora E. MacBeth, a longtime faculty member and academic administrator at Emory University, has been appointed director of the School of Science at Penn State Behrend.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Cora E. MacBeth, a chemist with 20 years of experience as a faculty member, researcher and academic administrator at Emory University, has been appointed director of the School of Science at Penn State Behrend, effective July 1.
MacBeth, a native of Clarion County, was selected through a national search. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Behrend in 1996.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. MacBeth join our team,” said Greg Filbeck, vice chancellor and associate dean for academic affairs. “She brings an impressive history of administrative leadership, a stellar track record in securing funded research projects and scholarly work, and a long-standing history of supporting student researchers. She will be instrumental in augmenting the great reputation of our School of Science and the college overall.”
MacBeth holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Kansas. Before joining the faculty at Emory, she worked as a senior research fellow at the California Institute of Technology’s Beckman Institute, where she studied the synthesis, characterization and small-molecule reactivity of transition metal complexes.
She has published more than 30 refereed journal articles and holds three patents.
At Emory, MacBeth was part of a team that led a $20 million National Science Foundation Center for Chemical Innovation, which focused on developing new methodologies for chemical synthesis — research that supported materials science and the development of new pharmaceuticals.
Beginning in 2012, she transitioned to a series of administrative roles, serving as assistant dean for student affairs and professional development at the Laney Graduate School and as associate director of the Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) program, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health. She also led the Emory College Scholars Program and the Emory College Honors Program.
MacBeth currently serves as associate dean of the Office for Undergraduate Education in the Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
“I am thrilled to join Penn State Behrend’s School of Science and advance our commitment to teaching and research excellence,” MacBeth said. “I aim to elevate and expand our focus on undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities, as these experiences are crucial in preparing students for the workforce or graduate studies.”
The School of Science at Penn State Behrend offers 10 bachelor’s degrees, seven minors, one certificate program and several pre-health and specialized programs, including astronomy and geoscience. The school’s facilities include the Yahn Planetarium, Mehalso Observatory and the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center, a partnership of Penn State and Cornell University. To learn more about the school and its programs, visit www.behrend.psu.edu/science.
Robb Frederick
Director of Strategic Communications, Penn State Behrend
