President Donald Trump appointed Janet Petro as the acting NASA administrator on January 20, 2025, making her the first woman to lead the organization. In a statement on LinkedIn, Petro emphasized that NASA will align with the new administration’s policies while upholding its mission and values.
Petro stressed the importance of growth and adaptation within the agency. However, this comes amidst controversy surrounding a recent directive issued by NASA. The directive aims to remove references to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility from public sites.
The terms set to be stripped include “DEIA,” “equity,” “inclusion,” “accessibility,” “Minority Serving Institutions,” “Environmental Justice,” and specific mentions of women in leadership positions. This move has sparked concerns among experts, given that NASA’s workforce already comprises 35% women and 30% from minority racial and ethnic groups.
Petro’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the agency, but her stance on this directive remains unclear.
Source: https://www.blackengineer.com/business/inclusion/more-developments-on-public-communication-in-stem