Provost FAQs 1.26.22

Dear Academic Affairs faculty and staff,

With so many communications related to the pandemic, it’s easy to lose track of important projects and plans that continue to move forward to maximize TCU’s academic success. I share with you the latest developments for Academic Affairs below.

Quality Enhancement Plan

As a requirement of SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation, the QEP Leadership Team has identified possible three topics for TCU’s QEP after careful research and discussion. Now they need input from faculty, staff, students and alumni to choose one topic to move forward over the next 5 years. Members of the QEP Leadership Team will be coming to meetings across campus to introduce the topics and the survey for your feedback. They also will be sending emails encouraging you to take the quick survey. We want to hear from as many of you as possible. Once the final topic is decided, we will commit resources to the QEP to move forward.

Provost – Department Meetings

I continue to meet with departments and units to learn more about your work and likewise share with you the important projects of Academic Affairs. To date, I have visited with 23 units across campus with a goal to visit all 40 departments. I continue to be impressed with the high quality of programs, courses, research and creative activities at TCU, and look forward to hearing more. To schedule a visit for your department, please email Shelia Williams at Shelia.williams@tcu.edu.

Provost’s Advisor to the TCU School of Medicine Transition

Monday I announced that Vice Provost Susan Weeks will serve as the Provost’s Advisor to the TCU School of Medicine Transition. In this temporary role, Dr. Weeks will work alongside the TCU School of Medicine leadership team to guide strategic priorities throughout the school’s transition. I know her insights and expertise in health care and education will be a great asset.

Director of Online and Distance Learning

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Sunny Farhadi joins TCU’s Koehler Center for Instruction, Innovation, and Engagement as Director of Online and Distance Learning. She will provide oversight, leadership and vision for online courses and fully online academic programs for both distance learning and residential students at TCU. Read her full announcement here. Thanks to Dr. Joanna Schmidt and her team for a very successful search.

Piper Professor of 2022 – TCU Nominee

Congratulations to Dr. Ariane Balizet, TCU’s candidate for the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation’s Piper Professors of 2022 award. Dr. Balizet is professor and associate chair of English and associate dean of faculty and diversity, equity and inclusion in the AddRan College of Liberal Arts. Her colleagues say her “mentorship of students of color, guidance of doctoral students, work in gender studies, and leadership in the college place her among the very best teachers and scholars at TCU.” Candidates chosen by the Piper Foundation will be announced in May.

Please continue to Protect the Purple by getting the vaccine, reporting the vaccine, and wearing masks at all times on campus.

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