SAN DIEGO—The Fleet Science Center is pleased to announce that Mwenda KudumuBiggs, Ph.D., has joined its leadership team as Vice President of Community Service and Engagement. 

A San Diego native, KudumuBiggs brings decades of science center experience and community-building expertise to the Fleet Science Center, working for five science museums in California, New York and North Carolina. She spent eight years developing a science and technology center at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. 

KudumuBiggs is dedicated to broadening the participation of underrepresented voices in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and is creating and driving initiatives and programming at the Fleet Science Center to reach all San Diego County communities.

“When I worked in science centers in the United States, I noticed that there were not a lot of Black and Brown people,” she says. “I want to popularize science in these communities to help people recognize that science is something that they already do and want to engage with.” 

KudumuBiggs leads the Fleet Science Center’s exhibits and education departments and guides efforts to connect with communities across the county and at the Fleet’s flagship space in San Diego’s Balboa Park. 

“Dr. KudumuBiggs brings a unique perspective and community connectedness to the Fleet,” says Steven Snyder, Ph.D., CEO and President of the Fleet Science Center. “Her extensive knowledge and background is helping the Fleet strengthen existing partnerships, build new relationships and develop effective strategic positioning.” 

KudumuBiggs, who grew up in San Diego’s Valencia Park neighborhood, is excited to give back to her hometown and to the Fleet Science Center. “The Fleet had an impact on me as a young person as it has for many San Diegans,” she says. “I am honored to continue to help the Fleet grow into a countywide organization leading the industry in community-centered work.” 

KudumuBiggs holds a doctorate of philosophy in learning and teaching STEM from North Carolina State University and a bachelor of science in biology from Stanford University. Her dissertation, “The Perceptions and Practices of Informal Science Educators Regarding Culturally Relevant Education in Science Centers,” explores opportunities for greater diversity, equity and inclusion in science centers. 

For Media
To schedule an interview with Mwenda KudumuBiggs, Ph.D., or learn more, please contact Fleet Science Center Communications Specialist Suzanne Sanders at (619) 238-1233 ext. 804 or ssanders@rhfleet.org.  

Información y entrevistas en español también están disponibles para los medios necesarios.

Additional Information
Press photos 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a3FwYPrcc5Z6ob1i-XIrlJGNuw5cg2BV?usp=sharing

About the Fleet Science Center
Since 1973, the Fleet Science Center has been a central link between science, schools and scientific organizations, collaborating with the communities that call San Diego County home. Its mission is simple yet bold: to realize a San Diego where everyone is connected to the power of science. The organization delivers on this mission through engaging experiences and culturally driven education programs in neighborhoods throughout the county and the historic Balboa Park flagship location. The Fleet creates places of inspiration by collaborating with communities to support and grow STEM talent in San Diego. From interactive exhibits and school field trips to free science programs, the Fleet is forward-thinking and consistently evolving to create positive change in the world. To learn more, visit fleetscience.org.  

About Balboa Park
Located near downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is the largest urban-cultural park in the United States. First established by the City of San Diego in 1868, it is also one of the oldest city parks in the nation and is the most visited single destination in San Diego. Its 1,200 acres include 17 museums, many gardens and attractions, the San Diego Zoo, miles of hiking trails, and multiple athletic complexes to explore and discover. For more information, visit balboapark.org.