Happening in Faculty Affairs
As June quickly becomes July, we are excited to share a variety of things happening around campus and beyond. Units across the university are continuously strategizing to best prepare our students to compete in tomorrow’s professional environments, and our faculty continue to exemplify the broad scope of multidisciplinary expertise that shapes our academic environment. Take a few moments to review campus updates and opportunities for you to stay involved.
Congratulations to John B. Sherman '92, who was named dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service effective Aug. 1.
- Dean, School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts: The Search Advisory Committee presented their recommendations for hire to President Welsh and Provost Sams on May 17 for their review and consideration, and an update is imminent. Search Advisory Chair: Robert Ahdieh, dean of the School of Law.
- Associate Provost and Dean, Graduate and Professional School: The Search Advisory Committee has made recommendations for hire to President Welsh and Provost Sams, and an update is imminent. Search Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. Mark Zoran, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- 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 preparing the recommendations for hire memo for President Welsh and Provost Sams. An update is expected in the next several weeks. Search Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. Timothy Scott, vice provost for Academic Affairs and interim vice president for Enrollment Management.
- Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer, Enrollment Management: The Search Advisory Committee is preparing the recommendations for hire memo for President Welsh and Provost Sams. An announcement is expected by Aug. 1. Search Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. Alicia Dorsey, executive vice president for Academic Effectiveness and Planning.
- Associate Provost for Faculty Advocacy: The Search Advisory Committee has made recommendations for hire to President Welsh and Provost Sams, and an update is forthcoming. 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.
- Assistant Provost, Higher Education Center at McAllen: The Search Advisory Committee has made recommendations for hire to President Welsh and Provost Sams, and an appointment announcement is imminent. 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.
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.
The Texas A&M University System’s Council for Academic Technology and Innovative Education will host the 2024 Chancellor’s Summit on Academic Technology June 24-25. Themed “AI and U: Agency, Innovation and Understanding for Future-Focused Learning,” the virtual and in-person summit will explore how innovators are enhancing their understanding of generative AI; using generative AI in ways that promote student, faculty and staff agency; and addressing ethical concerns associated with AI applications.
In partnership with the Texas A&M System and the Association of Colleges and Schools, the Center for Teaching Excellence invites all faculty to apply for the 2024-25 Effective Teaching Practices cohort. Applications for this virtual, largely asynchronous professional development opportunity are being accepted through July 26. Apply here.
Texas A&M encourages faculty to elevate the impact of their work by joining colleagues in publishing articles in The Conversation.
Faculty Focus
Alejandro Borges (Department of Architecture, School of Architecture) won the Irene Buynoski Award for Free-Hand Drawing at the Greenwich Art Society’s 107th Annual Juried Exhibition.
Dr. Weihsueh Chiu (Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences) received a 2024 Sustainability Champion Award from the Texas A&M Office of Sustainability and Campus Enrichment for his role in developing the Climate Vulnerability Index.
Dr. Ali Erdemir (J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering) has been selected as a Foreign Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova (Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences) was selected to receive the 2024 Wells Fargo Honors Faculty Mentor Award, presented by the Texas A&M Honors Student Council.
Susan Saab Fortney (School of Law) received the American Bar Association’s Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award.
Dr. Alan Glowczwski (Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences) leads a research collaborative developing an end-stage renal disease patient dialysis treatment that will undergo a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved trial in the United States this fall.
Dr. Minjung Kim (Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, School of Education and Human Development) was named a Research Fellow of the North American Society for Sport Management.
Dr. Maria Koliou (Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering) was honored as a member of the 2024 Ocean Decade Champion cohort by the National Science and Every Page Foundations.
Dr. Kranthi Mandadi (Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) has received the American Phytopathological Society’s 2024 Syngenta Award.
Dr. Malini Natarajarathinam (Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, College of Engineering) has been elected a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.
Dr. Andrew Nordin (Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, School of Education and Human Development) won the American Society of Biomechanics’ 2024 Junior Faculty Research Award.
Dr. Rogelio Oliva (Department of Information and Operations Management, Mays Business School) has been named co-editor-in-chief of the prestigious Journal of Operations Management.
Dr. Suresh Pillai (Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) was appointed to the Texas Radiation Advisory Board by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Dr. Huiyan Sang (Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences) has been elected a 2024 Fellow of the American Statistical Association.
Dr. Al Wagner (Department of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) led the Texas Aggie Rodeo Team to the 2024 College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming.
Campus News
The Texas A&M System has ranked 30th on the National Academy of Inventors’ list of the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2023.
In cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office and Texas Press Association, the nonprofit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host a free Open Government Seminar from 1-4 p.m. at the Hilton–College Station on June 20. Though RSVPs are not required, individuals interested in learning more about open records and freedom of information are highly encouraged to submit their RSVPs to Kelley Shannon.
Interfolio F180 Office Hours: In preparation for the next evaluation period, Faculty Affairs hosts monthly office hours sessions for assistance with Interfolio F180 and guidance on the overall promotion and tenure process. Beginning July 10, help sessions will be held via Zoom once per month on the second Wednesday of the month from 10-10:30 a.m. Registration is required and registrants will receive an email confirmation including the session Zoom link.
Beginning fall 2024, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will offer a Coffee Processing and Quality Certificate with coursework focused on coffee production, processing and quality evaluation. This new certification track will emphasize the connections coffee has with varying food products and highlight the significance of these coffee-related items in promoting human health and wellness.
Also beginning in the upcoming fall semester, the College of Engineering will launch a new minor in technical sales. The technical sales minor is structured to provide students with the critical business skills necessary to effectively sell technical products, solutions and services.
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital has earned level-two facility recertification by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, based upon the facility’s capacity for treating small animal patients in emergency situations.
Chemistry faculty from Texas A&M’s main and Qatar campuses recently gathered to celebrate 20 years of research collaboration at their “Celebrating Two Decades of Chemistry Collaborations” symposium.
Mark Your Calendars
- 2024 Chancellor's Summit on Academic Technology – June 24-25
- New Faculty Orientation – Aug. 13-15
- New Academic Leader Orientation – Aug. 16
Questions or Comments for Faculty Affairs?
Submit confidential questions, concerns or general feedback to Faculty Affairs.
Originally Released Thursday, June 20th, 2024