[VPAAEtal] Inaugural Provost Fellows

Tue May 9 18:56:37 CDT 2023

Four Faculty Named Inaugural Provost Fellows

Four esteemed faculty have been appointed as Provost Fellows for the upcoming academic year, beginning this fall. The inaugural cohort of fellows consists of Dr. Mark Moreno, Dr. Tami Morton, Dr. Maggie Salem, and Dr. Robert Rodriguez.

The Provost Fellowship provides leadership experiences throughout Academic Affairs and across the university. Fellows will attend leadership meetings such as Deans Council and Administrative Council, shadow senior leaders, engage in mentoring activities, receive executive leadership coaching, promote divisional work, and lead a campus-wide project.

Provost Tammi Vacha-Haase explained, "The Provost Fellowship offers faculty members academic leadership experience in key central administrative roles. At the heart of this initiative is a formal approach to supporting faculty in developing their leadership skills, so that they can become more self-aware of their leadership styles and identify individual abilities to help move the university forward."  She continued, "Fellows will acquire deeper knowledge of themselves as leaders, as well as gain a richer understanding of higher education, this institution, cross-divisional efforts, and the inner workings of the Division of Academic Affairs."

In addition, this initiative brings faculty expertise and insight into the Provost Office to work on projects in identified areas, building and sustaining close relationships among colleges, departments, and programs, while providing an opportunity for faculty to make connections with other divisional leaders in areas such as athletics, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Management.

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Dr. Tami Morton, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, has a rich background in education with research interests in teacher education, culturally relevant pedagogy, and children's and young adult multicultural literature. She began her journey at A&M-Commerce in 2012 as an assistant professor.

She has received the honors of the Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators from the Texas A&M University System, Excellence in Teaching from the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Faculty Senate Award for Teaching from A&M-Commerce.

Dr. Morton stated, "I am excited about having the opportunity to gain leadership opportunities, as well as learn more about administrative responsibilities. In addition, I am honored to have faculty expertise and to use it to work on projects and initiatives. I am also thrilled at the opportunity to build relationships among the departments and programs at the university."

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Dr. Robert Rodriguez is a tenured full professor of political science and program coordinator for the Latin American & U.S. Latino Studies minor. He started at A&M-Commerce in 2010 as an assistant professor with research interests in Latin American politics, Eastern European politics, and politics and sports.
Dr. Rodriguez shared, "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our university as a Provost Faculty Fellow during the upcoming year, and look forward to further enhance my administrative skills through this innovative program."

He has received numerous honors including the All-Texas A&M System Student Recognition Award for Teaching Excellence and is a part of professional organizations such as the Western Political Science Association, Western Social Science Association, Latin American Studies Association, and North American Society for Sport History.

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Dr. Mark Moreno is an associate professor of history with research interests in post-independence and modern Mexico, print culture and popular reading, schooling and literacy, and race, gender, and citizenship. He began his work at A&M-Commerce as an assistant professor in 2013.

Dr. Moreno was named a Global Fellow by A&M-Commerce in 2021 and is part of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) as a standing committee member of the Mexico section and Chair of the Prize Committee for best social sciences article.

He noted, "I am very happy for this opportunity to contribute to our student success efforts outside of teaching in the classroom, which was always my passion as an academic; and for the chance to learn and grow as a person who serves the university and the students. We've had a rough post-pandemic transition, but I am optimistic we as faculty and staff can boost student success through our collective and individual strengths and talents. My thanks to Dr. Vacha-Haase for this opportunity, and for the wonderful support of my Department of History."

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Dr. Maggie Salem, assistant professor of agricultural sciences and natural resources, has an extensive background in educational service. She began her tenure track in 2021 but has been a part of the A&M-Commerce family since her bachelor's in agricultural science & technology, received in 2007.

She shared, "I am humbled and excited to serve as a Provost Fellow in an effort to build on and refine my professional self through leadership and service to the Texas A&M University-Commerce faculty, staff, and students."

Dr. Salem is a member of many professional organizations such as the American Association of Agricultural Education and Agriculture Teachers of Texas. She has also received 19 honors and awards including Texas A&M University-Commerce Student Organization Advisor of the Year and the President's Meritorious Service Award.

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