Education professor makes BGSU history with National Science Foundation appointment

Jonathan Bostic, Ph.D., chosen from a nationwide search to serve as an NSF project officer, becoming first from BGSU in the role

Jonathan Bostic, Ph.D., a mathematics education professor at Bowling Green State University, has become the first faculty member from the University to serve as a National Science Foundation program officer, marking a historic milestone for the institution.

"I've always wanted to help society and the broader public, which is really important to me,” Bostic said. “This opportunity, working for the federal government, is a way I can do that."

Bostic, whose expertise lies in research methodologies, assessment, problem solving, and teacher education, is bringing his specialized knowledge to the NSF while simultaneously expanding his skills in emerging educational technologies, including artificial intelligence.

In his new role, Bostic is gaining valuable experience working across diverse sectors that he plans to bring back to BGSU and its students.

"One of the skill sets I'm growing is that I work with a range of people from industry to companies to other universities, which has opened my eyes to things I didn't know we could do," he said. "I’ve expanded my network tenfold. That's a huge win."

Advancing research

During the appointment, Bostic is still in Bowling Green but on loan with NSF, fulfilling a multi-faceted role in which he reviews research proposals, works with researchers nationwide to optimize projects that already have been funded and connects future research to the organization’s funding opportunities. 

Bostic has also taken the initiative to deepen his understanding of artificial intelligence and its applications in education, building on his established background in technology within the classroom.

Along with fellow professor Gabriel Matney, Bostic already was leading an NSF-funded project into computer-adaptive testing, which is answering a nationwide need for better and fewer mathematics tests for students that accurately and fairly assess their problem-solving abilities.

"I actually went back to my coding roots recently and started taking courses on generative and predictive AI, and its uses in the classroom," Bostic said. "I already had a background in computer adaptive testing, and I had done research there and understood it, but I went into being a program director knowing that I needed to understand more about AI.

“Over the course of my professional learning, I'm learning about how to use AI for my own work, which I will bring back to BGSU as part of my teaching, research, and work in the region."

Nationwide leader in innovation

Bostic's appointment represents a significant achievement for BGSU, highlighting the University's role as a nationwide leader in innovation.

Earlier this year, the University began offering a new AI + X bachelor’s degree program, becoming the first in the nation to do so.

In addition to gaining new skills and making connections at the NSF, Bostic said serving as a program officer has given him a new perspective on relating academic research to the communities and topics they seek to improve – a focus that aligns with the University’s mission to support transformative research and education.

"In this role, I've learned a lot about how we can broaden what we do and show how it's valuable to our communities,” he said. “As an NSF program director, it's always at the forefront of my mind: How does a project show value for community members and researchers?”

"One of the powers of academia is expertise. People want to know how that expertise can benefit students and schools now. These people want to hear that expertise in plain language that helps students, teachers and schools. Getting to the core of the issue – using expertise and translating expertise into real action with easy to understand language – is a way we can all work together.”