Planetary Science Institute Names Michael G. Gibbs Deputy Director and Chief Advancement Officer

Aug. 21, 2012, Tucson, Ariz. — The Planetary Science Institute announced the appointment of Dr. Michael G. Gibbs as its deputy director and chief advancement officer. Gibbs comes to PSI from Capitol College in Laurel, Md., where he served as the vice president for advancement and chief advancement officer while also establishing and directing Capitol’s Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach.

Gibbs’ responsibilities at PSI include serving as a key management team member and he is responsible for leading the Institute’s advancement activities, including communications, facilities, proposal management and development.

“Michael will be taking PSI in new directions to innovatively support our space exploration endeavors, including the Atsa Suborbital Observatory, which will be operated by PSI astronauts,” said Mark Sykes, PSI CEO and Director. “As NASA support for science declines, we are going to create new opportunities to continue to expand our research and education programs. I am looking forward to working with Michael to make this happen.”

“It is an honor and privilege to join PSI, to assist in advancing its mission, supporting the scientists who are conducting exciting, leading edge research and communicating the knowledge they are gaining with the public,” said Gibbs. Gibbs earlier served as the chief advancement officer for the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in San Francisco and held various leadership positions at universities including vice president for development at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minn., and assistant vice president for university initiatives at DePaul University in Chicago. He will continues to teach classes in Capitol’s doctoral program as an associate professor.

Gibbs is the co-editor and contributing author of several books and coauthored numerous journal and magazine articles on the topics of professional development for in-service teachers, integrating technology into the K-12 classroom, and astronomy/space science education and public outreach. He is also an advisor with the “Investigating Audience Engagement with Citizen Science” National Science Foundation funded project with the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in Chicago.

Gibbs received his undergraduate degree in political science, a master of science in public service management, and a doctoral degree in education administration from DePaul University. He also holds a certificate in fundraising management from the Fundraising School at Indiana University, a management certificate from DePaul University, and a certificate in interactive and direct marketing from the Chicago Association of Direct Marketing/DePaul University. He is a member of the board of trustees and the secretary for the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). Gibbs previously served on the boards of the National Hispanic Institute, the Planetary Science Institute, and the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber.

CONTACT:
Michael Gibbs
Deputy Director and Chief Advancement Officer
520-545-0898
mgibbs@psi.edu

PSI INFORMATION:
Mark V. Sykes
Director
520-622-6300
sykes@psi.edu

PSI HOMEPAGE:
http://www.psi.edu

PSI PRESS RELEASES: http://www.psi.edu/news/press-releases

THE PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTITUTE:

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Planetary Science Institute is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to solar system exploration. It is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, where it was founded in 1972.

PSI scientists are involved in numerous NASA and international missions, the study of Mars and other planets, the Moon, asteroids, comets, interplanetary dust, impact physics, the origin of the solar system, extra-solar planet formation, dynamics, the rise of life, and other areas of research. They conduct fieldwork in North America, Australia and Africa. They also are actively involved in science education and public outreach through school programs, children’s books, popular science books and art.

PSI scientists are based in 18 states and the District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, Latvia, Russia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.