Be sure to congratulate your colleagues for their awards and endowed titles. It will take you awhile to get to all of them.

CELEBRATION OF TEACHING EXCELLENCE

Fabulous Foursome Masters Mentoring

The 2024 recipients of the Provost’s Mentoring Awards were honored April 26 at the Seventh Annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence, and there was one more winner than last year: The second annual Faculty Mentoring Award was split into two categories, tenure-track and non-tenure-track. The winners:

• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring (tenure-track): Dr. Michael Kesden, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM)
• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring (non-tenure-track): Dr. Syed Kaazim Naqvi, School of Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
• Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Graduate Research Mentoring: Dr. Shalini Prasad, Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS)
• Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring: Dr. Benedict Kolber, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS)

Watch for a story about the winners on the Office of the Provost website. Please join us in congratulating them!

And There Were Many More …

Nine other honorees were brought up to the stage at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) event. They were:

• Regents Outstanding Teaching Award: Dr. John Zweck, NSM
• UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers: Dr. Clint Peinhardt, School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS)
• President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Undergraduate Instruction (tenure-track): Dr. Christine Veras, Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (AHT)
• President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Undergraduate Instruction (non-tenure-track): Dr. Christina Thompson, Hobson Wildenthal Honors College (HWHC)
• President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Graduate/Professional Instruction: Dr. Sriraam Natarajan, ECS
• President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Online/Blended Instruction: Dr. Oziel Rios, ECS
• Undergraduate Advisor of the Year: Dr. Malinda Hicks, EPPS
• President’s Teaching Excellence Award for Teaching Assistants: Dr. Katherine Wilds, EPPS
• CTL Outstanding Service Award: Dr. L. Douglas Kiel, EPPS

INVESTITURE CEREMONY

University Adds to List of Endowed Honorees

Eight faculty members were honored April 18 at the 2024 Investiture Ceremony, bringing the total of endowed titles to more than 175. Read the News Center story

• AHT:
  • Dr. Hanno Berger, Fellow, Miriam Lewis Barnett Chair
  • Dr. Erika Doss, Edith O’Donnell Distinguished Chair
  • Dr. Charissa N. Terranova, Margaret M. McDermott Distinguished Chair of Art and Aesthetic Studies
• BBS:
  • Dr. Mandy Maguire, Fellow, Robinson Family Professor
• EPPS:
  • Dr. Jennifer S. Holmes, Lloyd V. Berkner Professor
• NSM:
  • Dr. Rudi Fasan, Robert A. Welch Distinguished Chair in Chemistry
  • Dr. Gabriele Meloni, Fellow, Dean and Cindy Sherry Professor in Chemistry
  • Dr. Mario Wriedt, Fellow, Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Chair

HOBSON WILDENTHAL HONORS COLLEGE

Why It’s Called Collegium V, and Much More

Ever wonder how Collegium V got its unique name? Want to know more about what makes the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College special? Check out these stories about the HWHC, filled with pertinent information plus faculty and student anecdotes and opinions:

• The focus on research and study abroad
• Aristotle’s influence on Collegium V
• National Merit, Terry Scholars thrive on, off campus

IN MEMORIAM

His Spirit Is Not Forgotten

Dr. Christopher Parr, who retired in 2001 and passed away in April, was a dynamo. He was so joyful, so inquisitive, so broadly educated – he even has a library named after him. His colleagues share their fond memories of the Chemistry Department’s first hire in 1972. Read the story

NAVEEN JINDAL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

Podcasts Explore Metaverses, Medical Care

Two recent Naveen Jindal School of Management podcasts are worth your time:

• Between Business and Life: Host Lisa Shatz, associate dean of MBA programs, welcomes Jeff Price (pictured above working with a student) associate professor, game development and virtual reality, in the Bass School. They compare the technologies related to enabling digitally immersive, enhanced online environments — metaverses — and their implications for industry, education and entertainment. Download the podcast
• Business of Healthcare: Host Dr. Bob Kaiser, director of the MS/MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management for Professionals, welcomes Aaron Bujnowski, president of the North Texas Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). They take a deep dive into the workings of ACHE. Download the episode

INTERNATIONAL CENTER

Delegations Criss-Cross Globe for Collaboration

Since September, International Initiatives has welcomed more than 15 presidents, deans, faculty and directors from universities spanning six countries: Latvia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan and Australia. Dr. Juan E. González (pictured above with a delegation from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan), vice provost for global engagement and dean of the Office of Graduate Education, was among the University leaders and faculty who met with delegation principals.

Passport Grant Paves Way to Study Abroad

UT Dallas has been selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project grant, which will enable up to 25 Pell-eligible UTD students to obtain their first U.S. passport and open the pathway to study abroad. The International Center will begin accepting student nominations for these awards starting in the fall 2024 semester. Stay tuned for further updates.

OFFICE OF GRADUATE EDUCATION

This Membership Pays Off … and It’s Free

UT Dallas is an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD), which provides faculty, postdocs and graduate students with access to its member resources. That includes monthly webinars, multiweek courses and writing challenges designed to help faculty and graduate students thrive. Activate your free membership

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

Eager To Help with College Readiness

The Office of Undergraduate Education would like to introduce the College Readiness Team. Its goal is to provide high-touch support to vulnerable student populations, such as those entering with Texas Success Initiative (TSI) holds, low ALEKS math placement scores and high financial need. Interested faculty and campus departments can email Kelli Hickey or Alejandra Chavez Franco.

• In a two-day virtual training, the spring 2024 Beegle Poverty Immersion Institute, program specialist Roshin Mohammed learned to look at student situations through a poverty-informed lens to avoid unintentional harm.
• As the spring semester ends and summer begins, be on the lookout for students in need of support (mental, academic, etc.). Complete an Early Alert or email the Graduation Help Desk.
• You also can email the Graduation Help Desk to schedule a presentation for you or your program area this summer.

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER

Spring ’24 Usage, Hiring, Summer Programming

The Student Success Center (SSC) hosted more than 22,000 student visits in spring 2024, with almost 3,000 unique visitors, and has completed its hiring cycle. The result: 52 new Peer Leaders for the fall semester.

The SSC staff is re-envisioning its Summer Success Camp, geared toward incoming freshmen. Peer Leaders will host math, chemistry, writing and communication review sessions, and time-management skills and general success strategies also will be incorporated into the full-day camp.

Summer SSC programming includes Peer Tutoring, Writing Center, CommLab and the Institute for Peer Education. For more information, please visit the Supported Courses page.

Calendar

Wednesday, May 8
Spring 2024 Capstone Celebration: Vote on People’s Choice Awards, enjoy light snacks and see what graduating seniors have been working on. 5 to 8 p.m., ATC Lobby

Thursday, May 9
Faculty Stress, Burnout and Compassion Fatigue: Dr. Mary McNaughton-Cassill of UT San Antonio presents cognitive and behavioral strategies faculty can use to deal with increasingly stressed students … and their own stress, too. The UT System event will help participants learn to recognize signs of burnout and compassion fatigue in themselves and others. 1 to 3 p.m., virtual | Register for the workshop

Friday, May 10
Doctoral Hooding: Doctoral candidates will be celebrated and hooded by their supervising professor and dean on stage. Ceremony speaker will be alumna Izabelle de Mello Gindri PhD’16. 1 p.m., Arts and Technology Lecture Hall

Spring 2024 University Commencement: University-wide celebration includes a graduate grand procession, presentation of school graduates by the deans, ceremonial conferral of degrees by the president, musical entertainment and keynote address, followed by a cosmic light show and an after-party celebration. 7:30 to 9 p.m., University Drive Roundabout

Monday, May 13
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Graduation ceremony followed by Grads on the Green. 9 a.m., Activity Center (AB 1.2) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center  

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences: Graduation ceremony followed by Grads on the Green. 11:30 a.m., Activity Center (AB 1.2) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center  

Naveen Jindal School of Management: Graduation ceremonies followed by Grads on the Green. 2 and 4:30 p.m., Activity Center (AB 1.2) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center  

Tuesday, May 14
Naveen Jindal School of Management: Graduation ceremonies followed by Grads on the Green. 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Activity Center (AB 1.2) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center  

Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology: Graduation ceremony followed by Grads on the Green. 4:30 p.m., Activity Center (AB 1.2) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center  

Wednesday, May 15
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science: Graduation ceremonies followed by Grads on the Green. 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Activity Center (AB 1.2) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center  

School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences: Graduation ceremony followed by Grads on the Green. 10:30 a.m., Arts and Technology Lecture Hall (ATC 1.102) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center

School of Interdisciplinary Studies: Graduation ceremony followed by Grads on the Green. 1 p.m., Arts and Technology Lecture Hall (ATC 1.102) and Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center  

Monday-Tuesday, May 20-21
Project Management Symposium: Elevate your expertise with keynote speeches and collaborative sessions that promise to enrich your professional practice. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., JSOM

FEEDBACK

Send Us Your Ideas

Faculty or Academic Affairs staff are welcome to suggest items and story ideas for the Provost newsletter by emailing provostnews@utdallas.edu.

The University of Texas at Dallas

800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021
972 883-2111

view in browser