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20th Edition Faculty Affairs Spotlight

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Happening in Faculty Affairs

We want all of our colleagues to know that you are valued and appreciated. The last few years have been challenging, and the landscape of higher education locally and nationally continues to change rapidly. As we navigate these changes as a community, we hope that you will continue to support your colleagues, remain engaged in shared governance across the university and establish new connections. You help make Texas A&M University a great place to work and learn! This 20th edition of the Faculty Affairs Spotlight is dedicated to the engaged campus community that supports all of our faculty.

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

University Rule Under Review and Open for Comments: Rule 12.01.99.M1 is being modified to reflect updates on faculty titles, administrative faculty appointments, and the annual review and promotion process, and is open for comment on the Faculty Affairs intranet.

Annual Faculty Evaluation Reviews: Annual faculty evaluation reviews, whether being conducted for the calendar or academic year, must be completed before merit raises can be recommended. Annual reviews should be completed by May 31.

Interfolio F180 Office Hours: In preparation for the next evaluation period, Faculty Affairs’ office hours for Interfolio F180 and Post-Tenure Review sessions are held via Zoom every other Wednesday. The next session date is Feb. 28. Registration is required. Registrants will receive an email confirmation and Zoom link.

Ongoing Executive Searches -

  • Dean, School of Architecture: Nominations and applications are open. Search Advisory Chair: Dr. Jeffrey Savell, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
  • Dean, Bush School of Government and Public Service: Nominations and applications are open. Search Advisory Chair: Dr. Nate Sharp, dean of Mays Business School.
  • Dean, College of Engineering: Candidates have been presented for the president and chancellor’s consideration; an announcement is pending. Search Advisory Chair: Dr. Joe Elabd, vice chancellor for research.
  • Associate Provost and Dean, Graduate and Professional School: The Search Advisory Committee is being formed. Search Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. Mark Zoran, dean, College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Dean, School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts: Nominations and applications are open. Search Advisory Chair: Robert Ahdieh, dean of the School of Law.
  • Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement: (leads LAUNCH, the Center for Teaching Excellence, Interdisciplinary Programs and the Public Policy Internship Programs, among other areas): The Search Advisory Committee is being formed. Search Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. Timothy Scott, vice provost for Academic Affairs and interim vice president for Enrollment Management, position posting is forthcoming.
  • Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management: The Search Advisory Committee is being formed. Search Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. Alicia Dorsey, executive vice president, Academic Effectiveness and Planning.
  • Associate Provost for Faculty Advocacy: The Search Advisory Committee is being formed. Search Advisory Committee Co-Chairs: Dr. Heather Lench, senior associate provost for Faculty Affairs and Dr. Angie Hill Price, associate dean for undergraduate programs and Engineering Academic and Student Affairs; position posting is forthcoming.
  • Assistant Provost, McAllen Higher Education Center: The Search Advisory Committee is being formed. Search Advisory Committee Co-Chairs: Dr. Michael Johnson, interim associate provost and Manny Vela, associate vice president and chief operating officer, Higher Education Center at McAllen.
  • Associate/Assistant Provost, Strategic Educational Partnerships: (Partnerships including American Talent Initiative, EMERGE, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Research Universities and Texas Leadership Scholars): The position closed on Feb. 14 and applicants are being reviewed by the Search Advisory Committee. Search Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. C.J. Woods, senior associate vice president, Admissions and Undergraduate Recruitment and Outreach.

Faculty Development and Funding Opportunities

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

Global Engagement is presenting the 2024 Fulbright Workshop and Reception for faculty at each career stage to learn what Fulbright opportunities are available to them and to celebrate the culture of Fulbright success at Texas A&M. Register by Feb. 21. The events take place Feb. 28.

The University Libraries have updated their research impact metrics guide and invite the Texas A&M community to attend the virtual "Demonstrating Research Impact: Metrics and Responsible Use" workshop series Feb. 28, March 25 and April 17. Registration is required.

The Faculty Aspiring Leadership Program is a fellowship program for full-time faculty seeking professional development, mentoring and an expanded network of other aspiring faculty leaders. Applications open March 1.

The National Academy of Medicine is accepting applications for the 2024 Scholars in Diagnostic Excellence Program. Applications are due March 1.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program is currently accepting applications for two Early-Career Research Fellowships supporting emerging scientific leaders as they take risks on research ideas not yet tested, pursue unique collaborations and establish a network of colleagues who share an interest in improving the well-being of coastal communities and ecosystems. Applications are due by March 6.

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.

The Clinton Presidential Library and the Clinton Foundation are offering Research Fellowships for graduate students and early-career academics in all disciplines of the humanities and social sciences. Applications are due March 15.

Texas A&M will host a National Academy of Engineering Regional Meeting and Symposium on April 2. Themed "Space and Time," the symposium will feature discussions and presentations detailing the evolution of technologies for space exploration.

The National Academy of Medicine is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Gustav O. Lienhard Award for Advancement of Health Care, Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health, and the David and Beatrix Hamburg Award for Advances in Biomedical Research and Clinical Medicine. Nominations close May 15.

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

 

Faculty Focus

Dr. Waruna Kulatilaka (J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering) received the 2024 Aerodynamic Measurement Technology Innovation Award, presented by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Dr. Mazen Iskandar (School of Medicine) was named a Surgeon of Excellence in Hernia Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation.

Dr. Gerard Coté (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering) was awarded the 2024 Britton Chance Biomedical Optics Award, the top award in biophotonics awarded by SPIE (formerly the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers).

Dr. Kyle Myers (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering) received SPIE’s 2024 Harrison H. Barrett Award in Medical Imaging.

Hannah Bloch-Wehba (School of Law) was elected a member of the Institute for Advanced Study’s School of Social Science.

Dr. Rebecca Brooker (Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences) and Dr. Heather Lench (Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences) were named fellows of the Association for Psychological Science.

Adjunct professor George Mentz (School of Law) recently garnered the distinction of being the world’s first Top 50 Global Thought Leader in Management, Financial Technology, Human Resources and B2B Business by Thinkers360. Mentz was also named a top influencer in global wealth and project management by Globe Data.

Campus News

Texas A&M has awarded the title of 2024 University Distinguished Professor, its highest faculty award, to eight scholars:

  • Dr. Robert Ambrose (J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering)
  • Dr. Mladen Kezunovic (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering)
  • Dr. Mansoor Khan (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy)
  • Dr. Frances Ligler (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering)
  • Dr. John Mullet (Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
  • Dr. Ashok Shetty (Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine)
  • Dr. Alexei Sokolov (Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Peter Yu (School of Law)

On Feb. 27, the School of Education and Human Development will host their annual “Voices of Impact” speaker series, featuring five-minute lectures highlighting the research of 12 faculty members.

The annual opportunity to make a difference as a Hullabaloo U instructor is here with the Office for Student Success now accepting applications through March 8. Apply today!

Faculty Obligations Related to Pregnant and Parenting Students

In March 2024, the Biden Administration is expected to release new federal guidelines that require all university employees to refer pregnant students to the Texas A&M Office of Civil Rights and Equity Investigations (CREI) for support and academic accommodations . Referrals are required when (1) a student tells you they are pregnant or (2) you otherwise become aware of the pregnancy (i.e., “I had a baby shower last week!”). You are not required to speculate. These referrals may be written or verbal and should simply direct the student to contact CREI for support and accommodations. You are not required to “report” the pregnancy to CREI. 

Example language for a referral:

“Samantha, thank you for making me aware of your pregnancy and your need for an extension of time to submit your project. Please contact the Title IX Office for support and academic accommodations.”

For more information on services provided to pregnant students, see University SAP 08.01.01.M0.02, Pregnancy and Parenting Rights, Accommodations and Resources for Students.

Submit referrals to:

Julie Kuder
Pregnancy Support Coordinator
TIX.Pregnancy@tamu.edu

 

Mark Your Calendars


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Originally Released Tuesday, February 20th, 2024