Maria Oliver-Hoyo Retires

Maria Oliver-Hoyo recently retired after nearly 26 years of service as a professor of chemistry at NC State University. She joined NC State on August 16, 1999, after earning her Ph.D. from Drexel University that same year. Throughout her tenure, Oliver-Hoyo distinguished herself in research, teaching, and service, publishing 57 peer-reviewed manuscripts and securing over $4 million in external funding, mainly from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education.

She taught a variety of undergraduate courses, including introductory classes (CH 101, CH 201) and advanced 400-level courses, as well as graduate courses. Oliver-Hoyo mentored nine Ph.D. candidates and two M.S. students, serving on numerous Ph.D. and M.S. advisory committees. In addition, she delivered 98 presentations, five of which were plenary talks.

Oliver-Hoyo made significant contributions to the field of chemistry education research (CER), holding various leadership roles within the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Notably, she chaired the 2013 Gordon Research Conference on Chemical Education Research and Practice and served at the ACS Exams Institute.

Oliver-Hoyo served as associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Sciences at NC State University from 2019 to 2022. In 2021, she was named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society for her development of active methodologies in chemistry education and her extensive service and leadership in the chemical education community.

She received the 2023 National ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry. More recently, she was a Fulbright Scholar in Uruguay, where she conducted professional development sessions on active teaching methodologies for chemistry instructors.

Oliver-Hoyo has received several accolades, including the Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from NC State (2016), the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award (2012), and the College of Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award (2008), which led to her induction into the Academy of Outstanding Teachers at NC State University. She was also honored with the Leroy and Elva Martin Award for Teaching Excellence in 2001.

Alumni Memories

Lyniesha Wright Ward writes:

I would like to share my appreciation for working with Maria Oliver-Hoyo during my time as a graduate student. It was inspiring to be mentored by a full professor in a department that has few women in that role. I valued how she used her voice to create space for herself and others. From the very beginning, Maria believed in me and helped me build my competence. I am incredibly grateful for her support. It was especially meaningful to have Maria as a seminar speaker at IU Indianapolis, where I am now an Assistant Professor.

Caroline Sloan writes:

I want to express my gratitude for how Maria responded when I shared my concerns about my disability, including my speech disorder. She was the first mentor I felt comfortable telling about this challenge. During her presentation at the American Chemical Society where she received an award, she expressed how brave she thought I was for sharing my experience. I will never forget that moment! I was not expecting to cry that day, but her words moved me deeply.
A funny story about Maria is that she is more than just a mentor and teacher; she is like a mother figure to her students in the lab! I remember when she scolded me for coming in too sunburned or with poison ivy rashes, just like my mom would! It always made me laugh!