Academics

Office for General Education names six new faculty scholars

Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Six faculty members have been named new General Education Faculty Scholars. Representing various campuses, colleges and General Education areas at Penn State, the General Education Faculty Scholars help build the capacity of faculty to use educational change initiatives to advance greater intentionality in curricular and course design, learning outcomes and assessment, and high-impact teaching and learning practices in general education. 

The program started one year ago as the General Education Faculty Fellows and changed to a competitive, application-based process this academic year. Ten faculty will return to the program to serve a second year and six new members were selected. Typically, an appointment is annually renewable for up to three years.

Selections were based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to excellence in general education, including innovative pedagogy and course design
  • Demonstrated appreciation for general education as a cornerstone of academic success and commitment to providing access and service to students across the Commonwealth
  • An ability to provide a unique contribution to general education at Penn State
  • The interest and ability to act as a campus and University leader in this area

"The General Education Faculty Scholars are a dynamic and exciting group of faculty. We are excited to welcome six new members, orient them to the group and get started on important projects for this year,” said Margaret Slattery, director and assistant dean of the Office for General Education. "Key projects for the year, in addition to assisting in the implementation of the new student requirements, are developing materials to frame the value and intention of General Education for students as well as contributing to a hub of materials to house this messaging, and to promote and facilitate assessment, equity and accessibility of teaching resources throughout the University.”

New General Education Faculty Scholars include:

  • Les Murray, assistant professor, ecology, Penn State Abington
  • Bradley Sottile, lecturer, computer science engineering and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering
  • Tim Robicheaux, assistant teaching professor, sociology and criminology, College of the Liberal Arts
  • Neyda Abreu, associate professor, geoscience and mathematics, Penn State DuBois
  • Jennifer Hillman, professor, psychology, Penn State Berks
  • Nicole Andel, assistant professor, English, Penn State Schuylkill

The General Education Faculty Scholars who are continuing for a second year are:

  • Donald Bruckner, associate professor, philosophy, Penn State New Kensington
  • Stephen Hopkins, associate professor, music, College of Arts and Architecture
  • Susan Johnston Graf, professor, English, Penn State Mont Alto
  • Julia Kregenow, associate teaching professor, astronomy, Eberly College of Science
  • Karyn McKinney, associate professor, sociology and women's, gender, and sexuality studies, Penn State Altoona
  • Catherine Rios, associate professor, communications and humanities, Penn State Harrisburg
  • Kathryn Salzer, associate professor, history, College of the Liberal Arts
  • Michele Stine, teaching associate professor, biobehavioral health, College of Health and Human Development
  • Deryn Verity, associate teaching professor, applied linguistics, College of the Liberal Arts
  • Craig Warren, professor, English, Penn State Behrend

To learn more about the Office for General Education, visit gened.psu.edu. For more information about the Faculty Scholars program, contact Margaret Slattery at mjs436@psu.edu.

The Office for General Education is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.

Last Updated November 10, 2017