After taking a long leave from service to the American Chemical Society due to my administrative opportunities in higher education at both San José State and Cal State East Bay, I am volunteering with the SVACS as an Alternate Councilor. Many moons ago, I served SVACS as a Councilor as well as Chair of SVACS in 2003. As my career trajectory took me to some awesome higher education administrative opportunities to lead student success initiatives and systemic change, I stepped down from my service to ACS. About three years ago, I made the decision to return to faculty after 18 years as an administrator and jump back into teaching chemistry and chemical education research. I also decided to return to serving ACS, both locally and nationally. Nationally, I am now a member of the Division of Chemical Education’s Board of Publications and just led and successfully completed a recruitment for their next Chem Ed Xchange Editor (https://www.chemedx.org/).
Biography: Dr. Maureen A. Scharberg is a chemist and educator whose career has focused on advancing student success and innovation in chemical education. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, following earning two Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Biological Sciences from UC Irvine. Her doctoral research in bioinorganic chemistry established a strong foundation for her later work at the intersection of chemistry, education, and institutional transformation.
Over more than three decades, Dr. Scharberg has held faculty and leadership positions at San José State University (SJSU) and Cal State East Bay (CSUEB), where she is currently Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Her teaching spans general, organic, and bioinorganic chemistry, and she has pioneered active-learning pedagogies such as Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) and problem- based instruction. At Cal State East Bay, she has developed and taught innovative interdisciplinary courses including Basic Chemistry for Health Sciences (for pre-nursing students) and Chemistry of Spices, which connects spice chemistry to sustainability and everyday life.
Her research and publications emphasize chemistry curriculum reform, student-centered learning, and pedagogical development for future chemists and educators. She has co-authored works in the Journal of Chemical Education and contributed to the Handbook of College Science Teaching. She was also an integral contributor to the ACS textbook publication of Chemistry. Her early research scientific contributions include studies on metalloproteins and astrochemical organic synthesis published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and Astrophysical Journal.
Dr. Scharberg has secured over $15 million in external grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education to support chemistry education, student retention, and STEM equity initiatives. Recognized for her mentorship and leadership, she has received the Ottenberg Award from the American Chemical Society, the Ellen Weaver Award for Mentoring Women in Science, and designation as a Fulbright Specialist (2023–2026).
Through her teaching, research, and service to the American Chemical Society, Dr. Scharberg continues to shape the future of chemical education by integrating undergraduate chemistry curriculum with inclusive, research-based pedagogy and a commitment to all student success in chemistry.