New NASA education official named

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Joyce Winterton has been named NASA's assistant administrator for education, effective Monday.

NASA said Winterton will be responsible for the development and implementation of the agency's education information and outreach programs that strengthen student involvement and public awareness about the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's scientific goals and missions.

"I look forward to joining NASA at this crucial time for the agency as it looks to inspire student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," Winterton said.

Before joining NASA, Winterton was director of national education programs for USA Today. She also previously served as executive director of the National Council on Vocational Education in 1986 and deputy assistant secretary of the Department of Education in 1983.

John Hairston, who has served as the space agency's acting assistant administrator for education since June, will return to NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland as director of its external programs directorate.