FAQs 1/19/22 – RRI Chair, New Dean and Assoc Provost, Media Training, Inclement Weather

Dear Academic Affairs faculty and staff,

As we begin a new semester on campus, I encourage you to continue to protect yourselves and your loved ones by getting the vaccine or booster, and confirm your vaccine status at tcu.edu/protect-the-purple. While we continue to navigate the pandemic, we also continue to move forward with important initiatives that are vital to TCU’s continued strength.

Race and Reconciliation Initiative – Applications for Chair

After two successful years as the inaugural chair of the Race and Reconciliation Initiative, Dr. Frederick Gooding, Jr., wishes to return to his research ambitions. I thank Dr. G for the outstanding, motivating scholarly contributions he provided in this leadership role, and the awareness he brought to the RRI throughout campus and the DFW Metroplex. I have no doubt that the next chair will take the initiative even further. I encourage those interested in this 50% administrative position to apply by clicking here.

Welcome New Dean and Associate Provost

I’m excited to welcome Dr. Reginald A. Wilburn as Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. Dean Wilburn excels in visionary strategic planning, transparent decision making, effective shared governance, and championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness as central to innovating and enhancing an organization’s mission. (He also has a terrific singing voice.) I welcome Dr. M. Francyne Huckaby in a new role as Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. Dr. Huckaby joins us on the third floor of the Harrison to support our flourishing faculty of teacher-scholars within a culture of inclusive excellence. I look forward to their ideas, insights, expertise and partnership as our newest campus leaders.

Media Training for Faculty – Virtual

TCU Marketing and Communication offers training throughout the semester for new faculty and those who have some media experience but have never had training. I encourage you to attend these helpful sessions. The next two are virtual: Jan. 26, 10:00-11:00 a.m., and Jan. 27, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Email news@tcu.edu to receive the link to join.

Inclement Weather Reminder

As we learned last February, not everyone can access technology during inclement weather. Therefore, when the university officially closes for inclement weather, all academic instruction and activities, online or in-person, on or off campus, will cease, and resume when the university officially reopens. Any make-up time will take place during the scheduled class time or through out-of-class activities, not on separate make-up days. See the Faculty FAQ website, provost.tcu.edu/faq, for more information.

Convocation Award Winners

I have ended my last several weekly messages by acknowledging those honored at Fall 2021 Convocation. Last but not least, I congratulate Dr. Laura Luque, biology instructor and winner of the 2021 Wassenich Award for Mentoring. You can learn more about her story in this video: https://youtu.be/ye-5P1Ifi_M.

Best regards,
Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs