As you all know, this is a critical time for the School of Arts and Sciences as the University launches a new strategic plan that sets the stage and priorities for the future. Likewise, we will be co-developing a strategic plan for the School that reflects department opportunities and aligns with the University goals.
As we embark on this work, I am pleased to share with you the terrific news that we have hired a new senior communications officer. Dave Andreatta will begin in this newly created position on December 4.
Dave will be a key partner for all of us as we look to elevate our progress.
Many of you likely know of Dave from his work as an investigative journalist and columnist at the Democrat and Chronicle and later as the editor of CITY. He is looking forward to applying the skills and talents he has developed during his journalism career in a new role here at Rochester, where he is no stranger. Dave is an adjunct professor who teaches a journalism course for the English department and his wife Wendy has been the field hockey coach since 2007.
There is so much great work happening across our departments. I am excited we now have Dave’s expertise to help ensure that our work is being elevated on the appropriate channels to maximize impact and elevate the reputation of the school. Dave will help us develop a stronger infrastructure for communicating both internally and externally, as well as offer strategic guidance and thought partnership to individual departments in executing a cohesive communication plan.
Please join me in welcoming Dave once he starts!
NEWS OF NOTE
Rochester selected for NIH initiative to map connections in the brain
Suzanne Haber, professor of pharmacology and physiology and brain and cognitive sciences, will join research teams across the globe to develop next-generation tools for visualizing connections in the human brain in a research project supported by the NIH’s Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® Initiative. Learn more about her work here.
Three professors receive Goergen Award for teaching excellence
Jack Downey, the John Henry Newman Professor of Roman Catholic Studies; Whitney Gegg-Harrison ’14 (PhD), an associate professor in the Writing, Speaking, and Argument program; and James McGrath, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Biomedical Engineering, are this year’s recipients of the Goergen Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for faculty in Arts, Sciences & Engineering. Congratulations Jack for your tremendous contributions to our Arts and Sciences students!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Trainings on the new supplier diversity policy
The facilities department will be offering several training sessions on the new supplier diversity policy, which goes into effect January 1, 2024.
The sessions will cover best practices for equitable procurement, an introduction to searching for and finding diverse suppliers, and how to use the Supplier Gateway platform. The trainings will be:
- Friday, November 10 from 1 to 2 p.m.
- Monday, November 20 from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 13 from 2 to 3 p.m.
NEED TO KNOW
Call for nominations for the Debra Haring Excellence in Research Award
We are pleased to start accepting nominations for the Debra Haring Excellence in Research Award. This award will honor Debra Haring, a former assistant dean for grants and contracts who spent years working to support and promote the research of our faculty in AS&E before she passed away in 2022.
The award will recognize a SAS or Hajim faculty member who has done research that has had a transformational impact on the field, or who has accumulated a body of research that has changed the field in positive ways. Nominations, which can be made by using this link, must include a CV, designation of a single work or a body of work with a short description, and a two-page nomination letter. Nominations are due December 11.
Please direct any questions to John Tarduno at john.tarduno@rochester.edu.
New transdisciplinary center planning grant initiative
With the enthusiastic support of President Mangelsdorf, VP of Research Dewhurst and Provost Figlio are pleased to announce the University’s transdisciplinary center planning grant initiative, with a January 31, 2024 deadline for submission. The initiative will fund one-year planning grants of $20,000 to $40,000 to help groups of faculty members identify exceptional ideas for new or reimagined transdisciplinary centers or institutes that could ultimately receive annual University funding up to $1 million. Learn more here.
Teach for the Rochester Education Justice Initiative
The Rochester Education Justice Initiative (REJI), the University of Rochester’s prison education program, seeks committed Rochester faculty and graduate students to teach UR courses for incarcerated students in the 2024–25 academic year. REJI’s students are pursuing associate degrees and UR bachelor’s degrees at three area prisons: Attica, Groveland, and Wyoming.
Starting in 2024–25, the Deans’ Office will support some faculty and graduate students who would like to teach for REJI to satisfy their existing teaching obligations. Interested faculty and graduate students should complete this application by November 10. Include a statement of interest along with your application. Contact Alison Peterman at alison.peterman@rochester.edu with questions.
Sponsored research and faculty leave requests
It is important that faculty members conducting sponsored research carefully consider their grant obligations. Please take a moment to review the guidelines for sponsored research and faculty leave requests here. These guidelines have been updated to ensure compliance with federal sponsor requirements for effort and involvement with foreign institutions.
Thank you all for everything you do to support our students and our community. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Your dean,
Nicole
