As in most of the Foundation, the Ocean Sciences Division's Program Assistants play a crucial role in processing the massive number of grant proposals received each year. From recording proposal data in the NSF database, to preparing proposal review distribution, to coordinating review panel meetings, Program Assistants help guide each proposal through the channels leading to its recommendation. Essentially, all of the 1400 grant proposals that the Division processes each year passes through the hands of these five individuals pictured here. In addition to the sheer quantity of proposal files they process, the Division Program Assistants face a new challenge with the recent Division reorganization: gaining a closer, more analytical purview of their associated research programs. These individuals continue to provide information and assistance to the research community, despite the steadily increasing workload with which they are faced. In all, they cannot be congratulated enough for the effort they employ on the `front lines' of the Foundation's mission!

Margaret Weller
Senior Program Assistant
Marine Geology and Geophysics

Margaret Weller is a familiar name to much of the marine science research community. Having been at the NSF for over 29 years, Margaret spent most of those in the Division of Grants and Agreements, where she regularly dealt with OCE principal investigators and their sponsored programs representatives. She relocated to OCE 4 ½ years ago, initially working with the Ocean Centers and Facilities Section. Under the Division reorganization in October 1998, Margaret became the central support to the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program, as well as the Ocean Science Education Program. One can rightfully say her many years of expertise in proposal and award processing have been dedicated to the OCE community!

Joanne McCreary
Senior Program Assistant
Biological Oceanography and Ocean Technology & Interdisciplinary Coordination

In 1988, Joanne McCreary began her career in OCE as a clerk-typist. Her rapidly growing knowledge of proposal processing helped her climb the administrative career ladder and several years ago she was assigned to the Biological Oceanography Program. Many biological oceanographers may remember meeting Joanne at the `Ocean Ecology: Understanding and Vision for Research' (OEUVRE) conference in Keystone, Colorado, in 1998. Since the Division reorganization, Joanne has remained the key assistant to Biological Oceanography, as well as Ocean Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination. Though she is sometimes surrounded by towering stacks of proposal jackets, Joanne maintains her cheerful energy, and always urges her `Bio' principal investigators to contact her with any questions or difficulties.

Sheryl Miller
Program Assistant
Oceanographic Centers and Facilities Section

Sheryl Miller has also spent her NSF career wholly in OCE, though she, too, has had the opportunity to work with several different facets of the Division. In 1989, Sheryl started as a clerk-typist, then spent several years as a secretary to the Administrative Officer. She then ventured into proposal and award processing for Biological Oceanography, and has continued this challenging work for the Oceanographic Centers and Facilities Section (OCFS) since the Division reorganization in October. Sheryl truly enjoys the unique education she's gaining from working with OCFS, and looks forward to meeting members of the associated community.

JoAnn King
Program Assistant
Chemical Oceanography

Since the Division reorganization, JoAnn King has found both the Chemical Oceanography staff and their community a terrific group. JoAnn began her career at NSF in 1992, where she initially worked with the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program. She gained a close knowledge of the NSF proposal processing system in her years with MGG, and was able to meet the community at the 1997 Fall American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco. JoAnn is happy with her transition to Chemical Oceanography, and her warmth and friendliness blend well with the group.

Jeannie Belsches
Program Assistant
Physical Oceanography

Jeannie Belsches started her government career as a secretary at Andrews Air Force Base. Luckily for OCE, the Headquarters Air Force Systems Command where Jeannie was employed relocated to Ohio, and she joined the ranks of NSF in February 1989. Jeannie is a well known member of the Physical Oceanography Program staff, as she has spent nearly all of her OCE tenure with the Program, and continues to do so under the Division reorganization. Her close familiarity with the Program's mission, coupled with her quiet poise and good nature, make Jeannie a valued asset to her Unit.