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19th Edition Faculty Affairs Spotlight

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Happening in Faculty Affairs

With the spring semester underway, it is great to see our faculty and students back on campus. Many professional development, networking and recognition opportunities are coming up, and we hope you will take advantage of them. Likewise, be sure to continue sharing your achievements and acknowledgments with us.

Dr. Alan Sams, provost and executive vice president has provided resources and reference points for a successful start to the spring.

SAP Under Review and Open for Comments: SAP 12.99.99.M0.01 articulates procedures for appeal of faculty complaints, dismissals and sanctions for misconduct, and is currently open for comment on the Faculty Affairs intranet.

Interfolio F180 Office Hours: In preparation for the next evaluation period, Faculty Affairs’ office hours for Interfolio F180 and Post-Tenure Review sessions will be held via Zoom every other Wednesday, beginning Jan. 17. Registration is required. Registrants will receive an email confirmation and Zoom link.

Correcting Misinformation — Qatar Branch Campus: Several websites and social media sources recently published inaccuracies related to Texas A&M University and our branch campus in Qatar. President Mark A. Welsh III shared an update to provide accurate information regarding the misinformation posted.

Ongoing Executive Searches -

  • College of Engineering: The Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Joe Elabd, vice chancellor of research, will meet with the president and provost in the next few days to present candidates. The president and provost will then meet with the chancellor to discuss recommended next steps. A final decision and the dean and vice chancellor announcement are anticipated soon.
  • School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts: The Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Robert Ahdieh, dean of the School of Law, is participating in ongoing listening sessions.
  • School of Architecture: The Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Jeffrey Savell, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is working to develop the leadership profile for the position.
  • Bush School of Government and Public Service: Chair Nate Sharp, dean of Mays Business School, and the Search Advisory Committee received their charge from the provost and scoping sessions are underway.

Upcoming Executive Searches -

  • Associate provost and dean for the Graduate and Professional School
  • Associate provost within Academic Affairs (leads LAUNCH, the Center for Teaching Excellence, Interdisciplinary Programs and the Public Policy Internship Programs, among other areas)
  • Assistant provost for Strategic Educational Partnerships (including American Talent Initiative, EMERGE, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Research Universities and Texas Leadership Scholars)

Faculty Development and Funding Opportunities

Add professional development opportunities to your calendar. Pre-register for events and minimize the number of invitation emails you receive by visiting the Faculty Affairs Events Calendar.

Submit your proposal to present at the 2024 Transformational Teaching and Learning Conference by Feb. 7.

Teaching with Artificial Intelligence (AI), an AI literacy and implementation course for faculty developed by Auburn University, is being offered via Canvas through a partnership between The Council on Academic Technology and Innovative Education and The Texas A&M University System Office of Academic Affairs. Registration is limited.

The Fulbright Scholar Program application cycle opens in February, but there are other programs you may apply for now. Contact Traci Lacy to learn more.

Early-career faculty and researchers are invited to apply for the Alzheimer’s Association’s weeklong Interdisciplinary Summer Research Institute to advance knowledge in dementia science. Applications are due March 11.

Instructors can now easily integrate textbooks and course reserves into Canvas to provide students with direct access to these materials. Learn how by visiting the Library Reserves homepage.

Texas A&M encourages faculty to elevate the impact of their work by joining colleagues in publishing articles in The Conversation.

 

Faculty Focus

Dr. Michael McShane (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering) was elected a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Dr. Mark Benden (Wm Michael Barnes '64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering) and Dr. Balakrishna Haridas (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering) were elected fellows of the National Academy of Inventors.

Dr. Edward Vargo (Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) was elected a fellow of the Entomological Society of America.

Texas A&M’s only National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Frances Ligler (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering), was featured in an article celebrating her as an innovator, mentor and inspiration to future generations of inventors.

Dr. Jeffrey Kuan (Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences) and his commitment to accessibility was recently highlighted in a College of Arts and Sciences article.

College of Engineering faculty received 2023 Faculty Early Career Development Program Awards from the National Science Foundation:

 

Campus News

The Office of the Provost and Center for Teaching Excellence announced the 2024 Provost Academic Professional Track Faculty Teaching Excellence awardees:

  • Dr. Daniel Collins (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Dr. Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman (Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
  • Dr. Sherry Lin (Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health)
  • Dr. Marcia Montague (Department of Educational Psychology, School of Education and Human Development)
  • Dr. Charles Patrick (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering)
  • Dr. Asha Rao (Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Dr. Dwight Roblyer (Department of Political Science, Bush School of Government and Public Service)
  • Dr. Shawna Thomas (Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering)
  • Dr. Wendi Zimmer (Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, School of Education and Human Development)

The Division of Student Affairs Awards Committee recently began accepting nominations for the 2024 John J. Koldus III Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards, which recognize outstanding faculty or staff members who exhibit a strong interest in overall student development and success. The committee is also seeking faculty volunteers to serve on the award scoring committee. Contact Cindy M. Smith ’83 to volunteer or for additional information.

The Division of Research has launched a Dependent Care Grant program providing small grants to faculty with active sponsored research to help pay for dependent care costs when the faculty member attends a professional research meeting.

Faculty Affairs will be hosting the Spring 2024 Promotion and Tenure Workshop Series featuring virtual workshops to address the needs and concerns of Tenure-Track, Academic Professional Track and Tenured Faculty.

Since 1986, Texas A&M University’s president has presented the President's Meritorious Service Awards in recognition of outstanding staff and students who demonstrate their commitment to the Aggie Core Values. Supported by The Association of Former Students, you may now submit nominations for the 2024 President’s Meritorious Service and Student Employee of the Year awards through Wednesday, Jan. 31.

 

Mark Your Calendars


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Originally Released Wednesday, January 17th, 2024