Northborough's Namin named to advisory board

Northborough resident Reza Namin PHOTO/KEN POWERS Northborough - Another milestone in the educational career of Dr. Reza Namin was achieved recently when the Leland Drive resident was unanimously elected by the Department of Education to a three-year term on the Mathematics and Science Advisory Council.

Namin is currently in his third year as superintendent of the Ralph C. Mahar School District, which serves the towns of New Salem, Orange, Petersham and Wendell, with a seventh- to 12th-grade middle school/high school and an alternative education program.

"I was honored and excited to be elected," Namin said. "I believe in order to impact policy you have to have a direct involvement with the policy makers. By being elected to this advisory council, I feel I'll have that direct involvement and I definitely think it will lead to helping to impact policies that will be beneficial to my school district."

Namin recently completed two three-year terms on the state's Science, Technology and Engineering Advisory Council and took part in the revision of the new Science, Technology and Engineering Framework.

A resident of Northborough for nine years, Namin and his wife, Gina, have both been involved in town activities; he served on the Youth Commission for six years, and she is a member of the Newcomers Club.

Namin recently completed post-doctoral studies in leadership for understanding at Harvard University, where he also received his doctorate in math and science education with a focus on curriculum and technology. He has also received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in leadership and educational administration as well as a master's degree and bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics from Worcester State College (WSC).

Recently elected to serve on the WSC Alumni Advisory Board, Namin is the only WSC alum to enjoy the distinction of having been inducted into the WSC Athletic Hall of Fame and be the recipient of the WSC Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Education.

Namin and his wife recently created a $1,000 scholarship at WSC for independent working mothers in the memory of his mother, Orza Amani, and his wife's sister, Joan Olson.

Namin has not only been recognized as one of the top Iranian-American scholarathletes by the Iranian journal "Parstimes," but is also a former professional soccer player and coach. He was named NCAA Division 1 New England Coach of the Year in 1991 for his success in leading College of the Holy Cross into the postseason.

Namin pointed to the alternative education program developed in the Mahar School District as the accomplishment he is most proud of.

"It's had a huge impact on our school community and the communities we serve," Namin said. "It allowed us to reduce our dropout rate from 7.1 percent to 2.4 percent in a single year. As time goes on and the benefits of the program are there for everyone to see, I think that dropout rate will continue to decline."