Special Assistant Appointed to the NSF Director for Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response Implementation

On November 2, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the appointment of Renée V. Ferranti as the special assistant to the NSF director for sexual assault and harassment prevention and response implementation. In this new role, Ferranti will lead cross-agency efforts, implement sexual assault prevention policies, and recommend organizational improvements by providing expert evaluation of existing policies, procedures, and resources. Establishing this role is the most recent measure in the agency’s ongoing initiatives to address and prevent sexual assault and harassment (see previous COSSA coverage).

Ferranti has over 25 years of experience in sexual assault prevention and response. She previously served as the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program at the Peace Corps and in various roles within the Department of Defense SAPR program, including victim advocate, sexual assault response coordinator, and program manager across multiple military installations.

Ferranti holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and a master’s degree in psychology.