Erie County Times

Penn State Behrend issued the following announcement on Aug. 24.

The Penn State Office for General Education has announced the selection of seven Penn State faculty who will serve as new advisers and program leaders and will help to build high-impact teaching and learning practices in general education across the institution. The seven new members will serve three-year terms as part of a team of 16 general education faculty scholars.

Maggie Slattery, assistant dean for general education, said she is looking forward to starting work with the seven new members, who will join nine returning faculty scholars.

“We wish to welcome our new faculty scholars as we begin the 2021-22 school year,” Slattery said. “The work our scholars do supports the core mission of general education at Penn State: to help in the development of curriculum and support faculty development.”

Previous and current projects include the creation of professional development opportunities for teaching general education, supporting the review process for funding opportunities from the Office for General Education, creating community around civic engagement teaching across the university and supporting assessment projects for the university.

The following faculty are new general education faculty scholars:

• David Witwer, professor of American studies at Penn State Harrisburg
• Shannon Corkery, associate teaching professor of human development and family studies in the College of Health and Human Development
• Andrew Baxter, associate teaching professor of mathematic in the Eberly College of Science
• Louis Leblond, associate teaching professor of physics in the Eberly College of Science
• Elaine Andrews, associate teaching professor of English at Penn State Shenango 
• Beth Lindsey, associate professor of physics at Penn State Greater Allegheny
• Corianne Thompson, lecturer of art at Penn State Scranton

The following will continue as general education faculty scholars:

• Timothy Robicheaux, associate teaching professor of sociology and criminology in  College of the Liberal Arts
• Jennifer Hillman, professor of psychology at Penn State Berks
• Nicole Andel, associate teaching professor of English and humanities at Penn State Schuylkill
• Daniela Martin, associate professor of psychology at Penn State Brandywine
• Glenn Kumhera; associate professor of history at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
• Gail Good, associate teaching professor of agriculture at Penn State Altoona
• Prakash Kumar, associate professor of history in the College of the Liberal Arts
• Keith Shapiro, associate professor of art in College of Arts and Architecture
• Jessica O'Hara, associate teaching professor of communication, arts and sciences in the College of the Liberal Arts

Louis Leblond, who recently started his first term as a faculty scholar, said he is looking forward to learning about the experiences of colleagues at different campuses and fields of study.

“It's only been a few weeks and I have already learned quite a bit, participated in some lively discussions with both my faculty scholar colleagues and my colleagues in my own department,” he said.

Leblond said his motivation springs from his recognition of the importance of general education in understanding issues such as social justice and climate change.

“We all, from students to staff to faculty, can and should broaden our perspectives, integrate and master multiple ways of thinking and knowing and assume responsibility.”

The Office for General Education is part of Undergraduate Education, the academic and 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.

Original source can be found here.