Our Leadership
Dr. Maria F.G. Wallace
BeyondU²™️ Chief Visionary Leader & Managing Partner
A Trailblazer in Science Education, Educational Research, and Community Engagement
Dr. Wallace’s leadership has been shaped not only by her extensive experience as an academic faculty leader, but also by navigating the lived experience of developing a robust research+practice partnership. These experiences and others have fueled her innovative spirit, driving a flurry of reimagination to explore new opportunities with diverse design parameters. Her ability to transform challenges into creative solutions is at the core of BeyondU²™️’s mission.
To learn more about Dr. Wallace's academic work visit Dr. Wallaces' faculty website.
What makes dr. wallace a visionary?
Resilience in the Face of Change
Dr. Wallace has firsthand experience with the complexities of institutional re-organization. She has transformed the pressures of program closures and 'right sizing' into opportunities to reimagine academic programs, strengthen community partnerships, and align educational goals with broader societal needs.
Trailblazing Science Education
As a seasoned faculty member and researcher, Dr. Wallace has championed groundbreaking initiatives in STEM education, including the NExUS-Mississippi Project and Research Practice Partnership with a local informal science institution (Hattiesburg Zoo), supporting university/community relationships for advancing transformational experiences with science education.
Building Inclusive Communities
Her leadership in NExUS-Mississippi has fostered cross-disciplinary partnerships that enhance student learning, community engagement, and institutional service-learning awards and recognition. Dr. Wallace’s collaborative approach creates interdisciplinary pathways for diverse stakeholders to move toward inclusive and impactful education.
Bridging Academia and Real-World Impact
With a focus on science and society entanglements, Dr. Wallace’s research highlights the importance of aligning academic inquiry with community needs. BeyondU²™️ reflects this ethos, offering human-centered strategic planning, automations, customized learning experiences, and high-impact guidance.
Author & Thoughtleader
Dr. Wallace’s body of 30+ publications book, participation in institutional-level advising teams for advancing translational research, artificial intelligence, and community engagement–always working across multiple domains and levels of educational experience (e.g., K12 teacher education, informal education, K12 student experience).