PAMELA K. KERRIGAN

Present Position

Chapter Affiliation

Background Information

Statement

Sigma Xi is a multi-disciplinary research honor society that has members from colleges, industry, universities and other professional centers of excellence.  What does Sigma Xi offer to the average professional?  Some say it is its interdisciplinary nature while others say that it is the American Scientist. I think it is both of these and more. The collaborations that the Society has developed over the last several years with AAAS and other professional societies adds to its worth.  
 
Sigma Xi encourages research at all levels including high school, undergraduate, graduate and professional levels through such grants as the GIAR and the high school research journal. I would like to be a member of the Board of Directors. As a Board member I will continue to develop more of these types of programs for its members.
 
When I was a member of the Board, I witnessed many great changes to the leadership in the society. The current leadership has increased its presence in the science community by utilizing all that social media has to offer and making the annual conference a symposium on a specific topic that is relevant to the community at large.
 
The Board of Directors needs members that are familiar with what the young and mid-career professionals will find useful in order to increase the membership of the Society.
 
I have been teaching at a small Baccalaureate College for over 26 years. My efforts during this time have centered on attracting younger members and trying to instill in them the long-time relevance of this multi-discipline research honor society. 
 
One of my initial focuses would be on the small baccalaureate chapters which are the life blood of the society and to instill in these members what a life time honor it is to be a member of this prestigious research honor society.  I feel this can be accomplished by encouraging chapters to increase chapter activities and interest in their membership.  I would also like to continue my career long pursuit of attracting and retaining women and minorities to our profession and the society at large.
 
Sigma Xi and Other Activities:  I was on the Board of Directors from 2011–2017 representing the Northeast region. During this time, I was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Board. I have served as Associate Director for the Northeast region and the Baccalaureate Colleges. I have served on the Nominations committee which choose the candidates for the President-elect of the Society. I have been the President of the College of Mount Saint Vincent chapter since its inception in 2009.