Michele Masucci, Ph.D.

Education:

• Ph.D., Geography, Clark University
• M.A., Geography, Clark University
• B.S., Geography and Regional Planning, Salisbury University

Background:

Michele Masucci, Ph.D., is the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University System of Maryland. She also holds the position of Professor of Geography and Environmental Systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and an appointment as Research Faculty at the University of Maryland College Park. She previously served as the Vice President for Research at Temple University, Director of the Information Technology and Society Research Group and Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography and Urban Studies. In her current position, she is responsible for advancing research and economic development strategy, workforce development, technology commercialization, and innovation across the institutions of the University System of Maryland and the system’s Board of Regents. At Temple University, she led research for 10 years, overseeing its rise as the fourth fastest growing research enterprise in the U.S. based on research expenditures. She also leads the Federal Demonstration Partnership as the Faculty Co-Chair and President of the Federal Demonstration Partnership Foundation.

Masucci’s research examines how barriers to accessing information resources using geographic information technologies are interrelated with community development and environmental quality problems, including accessing health, education and social services. She led the Building Information Technology Skills (BITS) program for the past 20 years funded by the National Science Foundation, Knight Foundation, Economic Development Agency, Philadelphia Youth Network, and many other sponsors since its inception. Her work on identifying criteria for assessing appropriate use of information technology in marginalized community settings is the focus of numerous peer reviewed publications and books. She has also worked to develop university-community partnerships with organizations that address human rights issues, and with a number of national and international community and environmental planning organizations.

Field of Specialization: Geographic Information Technologies

ORAU Affiliation: Councilor 2014–Present, Board Member 2017–Present