Jessie Rock is a science educator and advocate. She believes that diverse voices should be reflected in museums and that science should be accessible to everyone. Jessie founded FMSM in 2018 after launching a survey to gauge interest for the establishment of a permanent science museum in FM. Overwhelming community support inspired her to lead a team of volunteers in building the foundation for the organization.

Over the past six years, she’s engaged with families, educators, scientists, and other community stakeholders and invited them to participate in the museum planning process. She has worked closely with museum professionals and regional STEM companies and institutions to incorporate these concepts into a shared vision for the museum’s visitor experience plan.

Jessie served as board chair and past chair before being invited to serve as Interim Executive Director in 2024. She is thrilled to see this project evolve from a grassroots effort to a thriving 501(c)3 nonprofit supported by individuals and partners who recognize the inherent value this institution will have in our community. Her passion for science and the Fargo-Moorhead region make her an enthusiastic leader for the museum.

Prior to serving as Interim Executive Director, Jessie taught geology and paleontology laboratory courses in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geospatial Sciences at North Dakota State University for thirteen years and facilitated STEM outreach events and activities throughout the FM community.