UNE’s Amy Deveau invited into prestigious STEM leadership institute

Amy M. Deveau, Ph.D., professor of chemistry within the University of New England College of Arts and Sciences, was recently invited into the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) STEM Leadership Institute, held virtually from July 20-23.

The institute empowers STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) faculty and administrators in fully understanding the systems, structures, and influences of power and privilege within higher education, the AAC&U says, and equips them with the tools and skills needed to bring about social change and true reform in undergraduate STEM education.

Known by her students as “Dr. D,” Deveau primarily teaches organic chemistry, general chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and organic structure elucidation as a faculty member in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, where she regularly incorporates research into her course curricula, providing meaningful early exposure to research for STEM undergraduate students.

Deveau is serving her third term as a councilor for the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and is the current chair of the CUR’s Chemistry Division. A member of UNE’s Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, Deveau's research laboratory focuses on the discovery of organic small molecules with therapeutic potential across the areas of pain an addiction, as well as the design and synthesis of anti-infectives targeting human pathogens. 

Recognized as a Teaching Scholar by UNE’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in 2020, Deveau is strong advocate for inclusive experiential education. She contributes as a member of the University Oversight Committee for Strategic Priority I, where she also co-chairs the subcommittee on experiential and active learning. Additionally, Deveau currently serves as a member of University Research Council and on the CASFA Ad-hoc Climate Survey Subcommittee.    

"I was truly honored to be nominated by UNE for the AAC&U PKAL Institute,” Deveau said. “The experience was invaluable — it deepened my awareness of leadership best practices, change dynamics, and provided practical strategies that I can immediately apply to current and emerging projects. Furthermore, the broad AAC&U peer network and related collaborations will be both an asset and ally as I advance in my career.”