Victor McCrary, vice president for research and professor of chemistry at UDC, has been elected chair of the National Science Board (NSB). The NSB oversees the U.S. National Science Foundation and advises Congress and the president on science and engineering policy.
McCrary is the first person from a historically Black college or university to hold the position of NSB chair. His election marks a milestone for representation in national science and underscores the role of HBCUs in shaping the nation’s innovation agenda.
At UDC, McCrary oversees the strategic growth of the university’s research enterprise, focusing on use-inspired innovation, securing grants and building partnerships in line with the university’s public land-grant mission. His guidance has strengthened UDC’s leading role in addressing real-world challenges through science and technology.
A member of the NSB since 2016, McCrary was reappointed in 2022. He has served as vice chair since 2020 and became acting chair in April 2025 after former Chair Dario Gil stepped down to join the U.S. Department of Energy as undersecretary for science.
In these roles, McCrary regularly connected with science and engineering leaders, policymakers and federal agencies. He also led the board’s effort to recognize the contributions of the nondegree STEM workforce, resulting in the influential report “The Skilled Technical Workforce: Crafting America’s Science and Engineering Enterprise.”
As chair, McCrary will continue to promote STEM innovation, grow a diverse science and technology workforce and build partnerships across sectors. “We can’t succeed in a new era with yesterday’s playbook,” says McCrary. “The National Science Board supports President Trump’s aspiration for Golden Age of American Innovation and will continue to work in partnership with the White House, the Congress and leaders across business, academia, national security and state sectors for a vibrant innovative National Science Foundation and U.S. S&T enterprise that delivers on urgent national priorities and improves the lives of all Americans.”