2009 Assembly of Delegates:
Comprehensive Colleges & Universities Constituency Director

2009 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting & International Research Conference

November 12-15, 2009
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel
The Woodlands, Texas (near Houston)

Name: Regina McClinton

Present Position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Cell and Molecular Biology
Organization: Grand Valley State University

Address: Dept of Cell/Molecular Bio, 212 Henry Hl
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401 United States

Telephone: 616-331-2815
E-mail: mcclintr@gvsu.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Grand Valley State University Chapter

Candidate's Statement: The Comprehensive Colleges and Universities Constituency group is composed of folks who are at the forefront of teaching the next generation. We not only teach information about our disciplines, but also train students in the fundamentals of research. We prepare them for both careers in research, and leadership in education. One thing I value about this constituency is that it is poised to capitalize on the talents and abilities of it young leaders without leaving behind our more seasoned leaders who bring wisdom and sage advice. Sigma Xi allows for such a network to exist, and this is, I believe, one of Sigma Xi's greatest strengths as an organization. As director of this constituency, I would ensure that we as a group would be able to effectively interact electronically, to share act upon ideas and goals. I would also ensure that we have an organized outline that expresses our needs, goals and aspirations, which I would bring to the board, thus allowing this constituency to influence and shape the growth and activities of Sigma Xi at the national level. We are a group that can accomplish much, and I, as director, would tap into the existing energy and enthusiasm to bring our goals to fruition.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Regina McClinton joined the Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette chapter in 1999. She served as a member of the Committee on Diversity from 2000-2003, and returned to the committee in 2009. She has also been a member of the Minority Affairs Committee of The American Society of Plant Biologists from 1999-2004, serving as committee chair from 2001-2004. In addition to being a member of ASPB, she is also a member of American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has served on review panels for NSF, and has also held several NSF grants. At Grand Valley State University, she has served as an undergraduate research mentor, a research mentor and interim director for GVSU's NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate grant, led university-wide efforts in creating a Division of Inclusion and Equity, and is currently leading efforts to create a certificate program in cultural competency.

Biographical Information: Regina McClinton received her B.A. in Biology in 1989 from the University of California, Riverside, her Ph. D. in Molecular and Physiological Plant Biology in 1997 from the University of California, Berkeley, and was the Katherine Esau Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Davis. She served on the faculty at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, prior to coming to Grand Valley State University in 2003, where she is currently an associate professor of Cell and Molecular Biology. She is a member of the Michigan Academy of Sciences, and The American Society of Plant Biologists, where she served as member and chair of the Minority Affairs Committee. She has served Sigma Xi as the vice-president of the ULL chapter, and is currently a member of the Committee On Diversity. In addition, she has served on several grant review panels for the National Science Foundation. Dr. McClinton was instrumental in helping Grand Valley State create its Division of Inclusion and Equity, including creating a vice-president position, the first for a regional university. Currently she is leading efforts to create a campus-wide certificate program in cultural competency.