About Us

At the national PSM biennial meeting in 2005, PSM program directors agreed to form a national organization to provide a collective voice for PSM programs. A steering committee comprised of ten directors of PSM programs began identifying objectives for a national organization.

In 2006, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provided support for initial planning to develop a sustainable organization. During the year, the steering committee created an organizational structure and plans for operation of a National PSM Association, which was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in the spring of 2007 and elected its first Board of Directors.

In July, 2007, the Sloan Foundation granted funds to support the implementation of NPSMA's goals. The NPSMA Board of Directors performed a national search for an experienced Executive Director and identified Stephen J. Lemire, MS, as a very well-qualified candidate. Mr. Lemire assumed the role of Executive Director on October 15, 2007. The NPSMA held its 1st annual meeting in November, 2007 in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the biennial PSM meeting organized by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS).

President Bogdan Vernescu, Vice President Ursula Bechert, Sloan Foundation
Vice President Michael Teitelbaum, and Board Member Loida Escote-Carlson