American Mathematical Society Appoints Sarah Bryant, PhD, as Chief Scientific Advancement Officer
10-15-2025
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) has promoted Sarah Bryant, PhD, to the newly created role of Chief Scientific Advancement Officer (CSAO). Previously Associate Vice President for AMS Office of Programs and Professional Services, Bryant brings more than two decades of experience in mathematics research, education, and leadership to the position.
As CSAO, Bryant will lead the new Division of Scientific Advancement where she will provide oversight for national programs, data initiatives, and professional development efforts that shape the future of the mathematical sciences. She will also collaborate with leaders of other professional societies to advance mathematics and amplify the AMS’s role as a voice to champion all mathematicians in the field.
“Sarah will collaborate with colleagues in other professional societies to support mathematics, serving as a voice within the community for greater inclusion and opportunity,” AMS CEO John Meier said.
The Division of Scientific Advancement will include the Office of Programs and Professional Services (PPS) and the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships. Together, with Bryant at the helm, these units champion mathematicians across all career paths, support institutional and departmental transformation, and amplify meaningful scholarship in the mathematical sciences.
“The Division of Scientific Advancement is poised to meet the changing needs of our community,” Bryant said. “Alongside programs that help individual mathematicians navigate new directions in research, education, and careers, we are also partnering with departments and national leaders to share best practices and ensure mathematics remains vital on a national scale. My goal is to ensure that the AMS is the professional home of choice where mathematicians across fields and career paths find the resources, recognition, and community they need to thrive.”
Since joining the AMS in 2022 as Director of Programs, Bryant has transformed the programs and professional services portfolio into a strategic engine for mathematical advancement. Under her leadership, the office has launched and expanded several significant national efforts including the BEGIN Career Initiative, the Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN-Math) partnership, and the AMS-Simons Research Enhancement Grants for Primarily Undergraduate Institution Faculty, all of which support the Society in its efforts to broaden participation, strengthen departments, and support mathematicians across all career paths. She has also secured and led $4 million in grants to support mathematicians; developed and initiated implementation of a relaunch plan for the Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Annual Survey; partnered with the Purdue DataMine to migrate decades of survey data into new databases and interactive dashboards, and created the new AMS Hub for online professional development (launching fall 2025), which will not only serve individuals but also directly support mathematical sciences departments nationally.
“Sarah has been an integral thought partner,” Meier said. “Her work has helped the AMS transform abstract priorities into concrete, visible programs that deliver impact and carry the Society forward.”
Prior to the AMS, Bryant served as Executive Director of the EDGE Foundation and project manager for an NSF ADVANCE grant, leading national efforts to broaden participation, shape policy, and strengthen professional pathways in the mathematical sciences. She also held faculty positions at Dickinson College, Gettysburg College, and Shippensburg University, where she earned multiple awards for inclusive teaching and mentoring.
Bryant earned her PhD in mathematics in 2009 from Purdue University, under the direction of AMS Fellow Rodrigo Bañuelos. Her scholarship spans stochastic processes, biological modeling, equity in mathematics education, and pedagogy. She is the author of “Counting and Partition Function Asymptotics for Subordinate Killed Brownian Motion,” (Springer, 2016) and coeditor of “,” (Springer, 2019).
About the American Mathematical Society
Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, the American Mathematical Society (AMS) was founded in 1888 to further mathematical research and scholarship and advance connections among mathematicians worldwide. The Society’s programs and services foster the growth of the mathematical sciences and support the mathematical community through publications, meetings and advocacy and professional development.
About the Mathematics Department at Purdue University
The Department of Mathematics is one of seven departments making up Purdue's College of Science. The Department has an international reputation as an outstanding center for mathematical research and education. Over 70 professors are actively involved in research in many areas of mathematics, including visiting scholars and through a vibrant graduate program. The Department offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The department is located in the Math Building at 150 N. University Street in West Lafayette, Indiana. Learn more at math.purdue.edu.
Writer: Chalonda James, ccj@ams.org