We are an inclusive academic community committed to excellence in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. We advance intellectual and creative discovery through transformative learning experiences that positively impact our lives and communities.
Dr. Bob Kolvoord
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
A Message from the Interim Provost
Dear Colleagues,
As we see the end of August and September beckons, there are lots of things happening on campus. Last week, I got a chance to see the renovated space for our Young Children’s Program (YCP) in Memorial Hall and it is in a word – amazing! It combines start-of-the-art educational spaces with research opportunities for our College of Education faculty. Congrats to YCP Director Amy Taylor, Dean Mark L’Esperance and all the folks in CoE that have contributed. A special tip of the provost’s cap to Towana Moore and our Facilities Management folks for all their help.
In the coming weeks, President Schmidt is going to have college/unit meetings across Academic Affairs. Their purpose is two-fold: to better get to know President Schmidt and to contribute your ideas to the strategic planning process. I hope you can attend your college/unit meeting or one of the Idea Forums. We can’t include your ideas if we don’t know them, so please be on the lookout for more information on how to contribute.
It’ll be fall before we know it, but in the meanwhile, take a moment to read about some accomplishments of your colleagues.
- Minah Oh, professor and chair of Applied Math in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, received the Meritorious Service Certificate from the Mathematics Association of America (MAA). According to the MAA, Minah received the award honoring exceptional dedication and contributions in part due to leading numerous initiatives supporting women in mathematics and her organization of the region’s first-ever virtual meeting during the pandemic, which was called “both inspiring and effective.”
- Congratulations to Karina Kline-Gabel, CGE Director of Global Partnerships and Spanish Lecturer, who has been appointed to the Virginia Public Media (VPM) board. VPM’s mission is to use the power of media to educate and inspire connecting nearly two million people across Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley to free insightful programming in news, education, arts and culture.
- Shraddha Joshi, Associate Professor in Engineering, was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Award to explore students’ ways of experiencing prototyping in the context of engineering design projects. You may have read about Shraddha’s research when it was featured in the May issue of Madison magazine.
- The National Institute for Unification Education of the Ministry of Unification in the Republic of Korea invited College of Education Professor Dr. Shin Ji Kang to offer international perspectives and become an academic liaison around the Korean peninsula issues. During her visit, she led seven seminars with professors, government officers, NGO staff, pre- & in-service teachers and university students of other disciplines regarding the role of education in building sustainable peace within and beyond South Korea. While global experts on international relations, human rights and economy have been invited by NIUE of South Korea, Shin Ji was the first visiting scholar in the education field.
- Have you heard of the POGIL Project? Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning is a student-centered, group-learning instructional strategy and philosophy developed through research on how students learn best. I recently heard from the associate director of the POGIL National Office with praise for Dr. Chris Mayfield, Professor of Computer Science, who stated “By mentoring new educators, sharing his expertise through workshops and conferences, and modeling reflective practice, Dr. Mayfield has helped expand the reach and integrity of POGIL pedagogy. His efforts have strengthened our network and inspired others to lead with purpose and passion.” What a great example of our teacher-scholar model in practice. Congratulations, Chris.
- Last week, I recognized three Academic Affairs staff members who completed the Advanced Administrative Assistant Certificate Program. This week, I’d like to acknowledge five staff who invested their time in the Administrative Assistant Certificate Program (AACP) and recently received their certificates.
Congratulations to Ali Berg, Office Manager, Hart School for Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management; Hannah Evans, Office Manager, Faculty Affairs and Curriculum; Ingrid Garcia de Lazo, Administrative Assistant, College of Education TTAC; and Nicole Gray, Administrative Office Specialist, Department of Health Professions.
I’m proud of our division’s high participation rate in these professional development opportunities and will recognize other AACP completers next week.
Ready to see your name in this list? Send your teaching, scholarship, awards, and any other accomplishments to provost@jmu.edu. Highlights aren’t limited to just publications and awards – let me know what you think is important! I look forward to sharing more next week.
Sincerely,
Bob
Have Question for the Provost?
Academic Affairs faculty and staff can use the options below to contact the provost directly.
This is an open line of communication allowing faculty and staff to ask questions, but it is not a substitute from the crucial interactions they have with their academic unit head, department head and dean.
Students should contact AcademicQuestions@jmu.edu with questions.
