NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale announced Wednesday the selection of Joyce L. Winterton as the new assistant administrator for education, effective today.

Winterton succeeds John M. Hairston, Jr., who has served in an acting capacity since June.

Before joining NASA, Winterton was director of national education programs for USA Today, the nation’s largest circulated newspaper.

She has also directed a number of highly visible and successful education initiatives during the past three decades.