NASA Internal Memo: Laurie Leshin Is Departing

From: Leshin, Laurie A. (HQ-BA000)
To: HQ-DL-HEOMD
Sent: Tue Jul 26 11:35:23 2011
Subject: Transition

Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to share some news with you. I have accepted a position outside of NASA. I will be the Dean of the School of Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York starting in October. RPI will be announcing my appointment today.

Rensselaer is a highly respected science and engineering school – the oldest technologically-focused University in our Nation. It has a storied history that intersects NASA – in just one example, former NASA Deputy Administrator George M. Low was a well-known alum and became President of RPI after he retired from the Agency.

This was not an easy decision – we have been through some very exciting and certainly some challenging times together, and I greatly respect the extraordinary dedication of the NASA community. But my roots are in Academia, and I am excited to return to a focus on enabling the next generation of scientists across a broad range of disciplines.

I will remain here at NASA HQ until mid- to late-September and look forward to continuing to work with all of you on the creation of HEOMD. I will continue as Deputy AA in ESMD until the HEOMD unification takes place and will continue to work to stand up the two Divisions I was named acting Director of (AES AND SLPSRA) in HEO.

I have enjoyed working with the Human Space Flight team at NASA and I know that wherever I am, I will continue to work to advance our Nation’s Space Exploration goals. Thanks to all of you for making this scientist feel so welcome in the HSF community.

Best regards,
-Laurie