Provost Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg has appointed Dr. Theresa Gaul, professor of English, to provide leadership of the TCU Core Curriculum.
As director of the TCU Core Curriculum, Dr. Gaul will report directly to the Provost and work closely with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to ensure the vitality and integrity of the TCU Core Curriculum. She will represent the interests of the TCU Core across Academic Affairs, and coordinate across various units in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. Dr. Gaul is stepping into the position following the retirement of Dr. Edward M. McNertney, who has served as director of the TCU Core Curriculum since 2004.
Dr. Gaul’s past experience with TCU curriculum development includes serving on the Heritage, Mission, Vision and Values Committee for 11 years, co-leading the first Literary Traditions assessment, and leading the process to amend the LT outcomes. She has taught in four areas of the Core. She has managed the curriculum of English and Women and Gender Studies, served on the Undergraduate Council, taught Study Abroad and Honors College courses, and has been e-certified to teach online since 2003.
“Dr. Gaul brings to this position an evidence-based approach to curriculum, a demonstrated ability to lead collaboratively, and enthusiasm for the core as foundational to TCU’s mission to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community,” Dahlberg said.
Dr. Gaul joined TCU in 1999 and received the Deans’ Teaching Award in 2012. She recently served as chair of the Department of English and also as director of Women and Gender Studies for six years. She led WGST to establish two majors and departmental status, for which she received the Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership in 2017. Gaul teaches early American literature, 19th-century U.S. women’s multicultural writings, and Native and Indigenous Studies. Her award-winning research includes four books, two dozen peer-reviewed articles and eight years as co-editor of a scholarly journal.
McNertney served on two Core Curriculum committees before being appointed director of TCU Core Curriculum in 2005. He oversaw the vetting processes for approving courses, coordinated all staff in logistical and operational aspects, and oversaw assessment. He helped lead TCU’s successful 2013 SACSCOC Reaffirmation effort and also served as director of TCU’s first Quality Enhancement Plan, Discovering Global Citizenship, from 2013 to 2019. McNertney joined the Department of Economics in 1977 and served as chair for 15 years. He received the inaugural Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership in 2005.
“I express sincere gratitude to Dr. McNertney for his many years of dedicated leadership,” Provost Dahlberg said.