Applicants must be:

• Professional-track faculty who meet the following criteria:
  • Have a benefits-eligible appointment at UT during the current academic year

Any eligible faculty member may nominate themselves to be considered for selection to the cohort.

Fall 2025

Theme: Mindful Listening for Meaningful Faculty-Student Connection
Time: every other Monday, 11 am – 12 pm, starting September 8
Facilitator: Dr. Mehdi Haghshenas

Theme: Beyond the Classroom – Teaching in Non-Traditional Learning Spaces
Time: every other Tuesday, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, starting September 9
Facilitator: Dr. Becca Johnson

Theme: Doing Research as Professional-Track Faculty
Time: every other Thursday, 12 – 1 pm, starting September 11
Facilitator: Dr. Gwen Stovall

Spring 2026

(tentative days and times)

Theme: Formalizing Informal Peer Support
Time: every other Tuesday, 2 – 3 pm, starting January 27
Facilitator: Dr. Milica Cudina

Theme: Undergraduate Mentoring in Research
Time: every other Monday, 1 – 2 pm, starting January 26
Facilitator: Dr. Stacia Rodenbusch

Theme: How AI Can Transform Academia, Industry & Government Partnerships
Time: every other Friday, 2 – 3 pm, starting January 30
Facilitator: Dr. Abhay SamantThemes and Facilitators to be announced soon.

2024-25 Participants

Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

This group explored the growing influence of artificial intelligence in both students’ and educators’ lives, discussing the ethical, creative, and pedagogical implications of emerging AI tools. Participants shared ways to incorporate AI meaningfully into teaching while also considering where limitations might be necessary. The group examined how to strike a balance between innovation and academic integrity in an evolving digital landscape.

Robert Quigley (Facilitator), Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication, School of Journalism and Media

Angela Beasley, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Department of Computer Science

Jacqueline Kim, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Department of Marketing

Joshua Kocher, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Department of Finance

Helen Schneider, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Economics

Darren Smith, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Department of Management

Jennifer Smith, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Education, Curriculum and Instruction

Stephen Walls, Associate Professor of Instruction and Assistant Dean for Instructional Innovation, McCombs School of Business, Department of Marketing

Jessica Wandelt, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences

Digital Accessibility at UT

This group focused on ways to make digital learning environments more accessible and inclusive for all students, including those with disabilities or varying access needs. Participants discussed practical strategies for designing accessible course materials, using inclusive technologies, and meeting legal and institutional accessibility standards. This group also considered how faculty can advocate for and implement accessibility best practices across online and hybrid formats, ensuring equitable learning experiences for every student/

John Neumann (Facilitator), Associate Professor of Practice, School of Information

Kay McMurry, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Biology Instruction Office

Philip Owen, Lecturer, College of Fine Arts, Department of Theatre and Dance

Incorporating Civil Discourse Across Disciplines

Prompted by recent campus events, this group examined how to foster civil discourse in academic settings across various disciplines. The conversation centered on integrating respectful dialogue into curricula, modeling it in classroom practices, and preparing students to engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives. Participants shared tools and strategies to help students channel their passion into constructive conversations and civic engagement.

Riyad Alhomsi (Facilitator), Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Middle Eastern Studies

Andrea Baer, Associate Professor of Practice, School of Information

Teresa Bailey, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Brianna McCaslin, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Sociology

Andrea Montgomery, Director of Academic Initiatives, School of Social Work

Alida Perrine, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Katie Sanders, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Larry Schooler, Assistant Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication, Department of Communication Studies

Caitlin Smith, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Education, Educational Psychology

Doing Research as Professional-Track Faculty

This circle brought together professional track faculty to discuss the challenges and opportunities of pursuing research alongside teaching and administrative duties. Participants shared time management strategies, writing support resources, and ways to prioritize scholarship amid competing demands. With recent changes to promotion criteria that include research excellence, the group also discussed how to navigate institutional expectations and advocate for scholarly contributions within their roles.

Marina Alexandrova (Facilitator), Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies

Amy Bryan, Susie and John L. Adams Director’s Profesorship at the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child & Family Laboratory Associate Professor of Practice and Laboratory Director, College of Natural Sciences, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences

Lydia Cdebaca, Lecturer, College of Liberal Arts, Department of English

Eduardo Chavez, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Morgane Haesen, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of French and Italian

Carlos Landaverde Alvarado, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Cockrell School of Engineering, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering

Jeannette Okur, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Middle Eastern Studies

Ethan Pew, Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Director for the Master’s of Science in Marketing Program, McCombs School of Business, Department of Marketing

Safeer Siddicky, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Education, Kinesiology and Health Education

Fostering Effective Student Practicum Experiences

This group focused on the complex task of aligning hands-on practicum experiences with classroom learning across disciplines. Participants explored strategies for selecting high-quality practicum sites, managing partnerships, and setting shared expectations. The conversation also covered innovative methods for connecting practicum work to course objectives in ways that go beyond discussion-based reflections, making the learning experience more cohesive and impactful for students.

Laura Estep (Facilitator), Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Education, Special Education

Thomas Conolly, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Cockrell School of Engineering, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

Chikako Cooke, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Asian Studies

David Dalle Molle, Associate Professor of Practice, Cockrell School of Engineering, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering

Candace Hayden, Clinical Assistant Professor, Moody College of Communication, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Stephanie Houghton, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Economics

Alice McCoy-Bae, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Asian Studies

Jim Nelson, Lecturer, Cockrell School of Engineering, Department of Management

Steven Rossman, Lecturer, Moody College of Communication, Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations

Susan Sneed, Amon G. Carter Clinical Assistant Professor in Communication, Moody College of Communication, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

2023-24 Participants

Mindful Moments

Meaningful peer-led learning, engaging class discussions and experiences, and service-learning opportunities that build belongingness in our classrooms. This circle explored how to connect curriculum with museums, libraries, landmark installations, speaking events, university resources, and other unique spaces to build mindful moments, lasting learning, empathy, and connection.

Jacqueline Evans, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Psychology (Facilitator)
Sarah Angulo, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Psychology

Chikako Cooke, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Asian Studies

Amrita Kaur, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Computer Science

Li Chen Lin, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Stephanie Osbakken, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Sociology

Jahanett Ramirez, Assistant Professor of Research, School of Social Work

Marialena Rivera, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Moody College of Communication, Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations

Becca Robertson, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Information, Risk, and Operations Management
Astrid Runggaldier, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Fine Arts, Art and Art History
Adrien Smith, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Germanic Studies

Sarah Villanueva, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Human Development and Family Sciences

Nick Winges-Yanez, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Social Work\

Betty Jeanne Wolfe Taylor, Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy

Creating a Public Image

An often-forgotten aspect of being a professor and expert is creating a public image. This circle explored creating a public profile by utilizing successful strategies for creating a public image, establishing individual goals for raising one’s profile as a field leader, as well as setting a plan for implementing individual goals.

Korey Pereira, Assistant Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication, Radio-Television-Film (Facilitator)
Danielle Alsandor, Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy

Micah Barber, Associate Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication, Radio-Television-Film

Deborah Cohen, Assistant Professor of Research, Dell Medical School, Psychiatry

Lia Sifuentes Davis, Clinical Professor, School of Law, School of Law

Ariel Dulitzky, Clinical Professor, School of Law
Rhonda Evans, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Government

Tina Fragale, Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Education, Special Education
Jennifer Flippo, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
Justin Hart, Assistant Professor of Research, College of Natural Sciences, Computer Science

Elizabeth Klingbeil, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences

Carlos Jose Landaverde Alvarado, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Cockrell School of Engineering, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering
Sofia Malik, Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy

Michael Mrazek, Research Associate Professor, College of Liberal Arts, Psychology
Jim Nelson, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Managemen
Nina Palmo, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Sociology

Supporting Student and Faculty Mental Health

Student mental health is critical to academic success. This circle discussed how to establish flexible classroom practices while upholding academic rigor and maintaining our own well-being. Participants in this circle shared common challenges and struggles in implementing classroom practices that promote student and faculty well-being, as well as our successes and best strategies for maintaining high standards for achievement while supporting student and faculty mental health.

Nina Palmo, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Sociology (Facilitator)
Audrey Blood, Lecturer, College of Fine Arts, Art and Art History
Christin Davis, Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Fine Arts, Theatre and Dance
Kelly Fulton, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Sociology
Smyth Johansson, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Germanic Studies

Professional Well-being

Professional-track faculty are in a unique position that places consistent demands on the capacity to support others who need assistance, and one of the best ways to help students is by giving to ourselves first. This circle provided a place where faculty discussed resources and practical skills as they relate to topics such as mindfulness and meditation, self-compassion, work/life balance, preventing and managing burnout, social support, and making meaningful connections in our professional lives.

Lara Latimer, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Education, Kinesiology and Health Education (Facilitator)

Sanchita Bhadra, Research Assistant Professor, College of Natural Sciences, Molecular Biosciences

Taylor Brown, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Accounting
Joe Cutbirth, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Moody College of Communication, Communication Studies
Jennifer Fritz, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Biology Instruction Office

Laura Gonzalez, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Integrative Biology

Moira Monge, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, Pediatrics

Moira Muldoon, Lecturer, Cockrell School of Engineering
Sarah Ozuna, Associate Professor of Practice, College of Natural Sciences, Human Development and Family Sciences

Safeer Siddicky, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Education, Kinesiology and Health Education
Katherine West, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Moody College of Communication, School of Journalism and Media

Amy Wright, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Human Dimensions of Organizations

Feedback Conversations

Professional careers are full of feedback conversations. This circle offered a safe, curious, reflective space to delve into the successes, joys, failures and challenges involved in feedback conversations in our professional lives.

Gretchen Fuller, Assistant Professor, Dell Medical School, Surgery and Perioperative Care (Facilitator)
Angelique Karditzas, Lecturer, College of Education, Health Education

Goheun Kim, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Molecular Biosciences

Sunguen Kim, Research Assistant of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, Pediatrics

Janice Hernandez, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Michael McQuaid, Associate Professor of Instruction, School of Information

Monica Jane Milonovich, Associate Professor of Instruction and Director, Integrated Coordinated Program in Dietetics, College of Natural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences

Mary (Katie) Sanders, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
Larry Schooler, Assistant Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication, Communication Studies

Madeline Shaw, Lecturer, College of Education, Health Education

Dana Thomas, Lecturer, Jackson School of Geosciences, Energy and Earth Resources, Earth and Planetary Sciences
Liliana Valenzuela, Lecturer, Moody College of Communication, Journalism
Pilar Zazueta, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies

2022-23 Participants

Building Community in the Classroom

Keely Finkelstein, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Astronomy (Facilitator)

Angie Beasley, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Computer Science

Antonia Chimonidou, Associate Professor of Practice, Natural Sciences, UTeach
Thomas Connolly, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Cockrell School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Jennifer Flippo, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Pediatrics

Theresa Gage, Adjunct Associate Professor,  LBJ School of Public Affairs

Madeleine Holland, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Moody College of Communication, Communication Studies
Stephanie Houghton, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Economics
Steph Osbakken, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Health and Society Program, Sociology

Nina Telang, Professor of Instruction, Cockrell School of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Liliana Valenzuela, Adjunct Lecturer, Moody College of Communication, School of Journalism and Media

Soo Hyun Yang, Associate Professor of Practice, College of Natural Sciences, Freshman Research Initiative

Building a Successful Professional Track Faculty Career

Stephanie Holmsten, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Government (Facilitator)
Niveen Abi Ghannam, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Cockrell School of Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Jennifer Austin, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics

Laura Gonzalez, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Integrative Biology
Katie Gray, Professor of Instruction, McCombs School of Business, Information, Risk, and Operations Management

Layla Guyot, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Statistics & Data Sciences

Guan-Soon Khoo, Associate Professor of Instruction, Moody College of Communication, Advertising & Public Relations

Lara Latimer, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Education, Kinesiology & Health Education
Jeremiah McCallister, Lecturer, Cockrell School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Dana Stauffer, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Government
Ann Thijs, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Biology Instruction Office

Pilar Zazueta, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies

Anastasia Zervou, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Economics

Inclusive Classroom Content

Diane Rhodes, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Work (Facilitator)
Laura Brown, Assistant Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication, Communication Studies

Chikako Cooke, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Asian Studies

J.E. Johnson, Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Fine Arts, Theatre and Dance and Scenic Studio Supervisor

Joanna Mendez, Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Social Work

Kelvin Phan, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Education, Kinesiology & Health Education

Sally Ragsdale, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Statistics & Data Science
Carol Ramsey, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Computer Science

Eleanor Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Practice, Cockrell School of Engineering, Civil, Architectural, & Environmental Engineering
Danica Sumpter, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Nursing

Oksana Lutsyshyna, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Slavic & Eurasian Studies  

Difficult Dialogues

Gautami Shah, Associate Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Asian Studies (Facilitator)
Mary Beer, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Social Work

Robert Carroll, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Moody College of Communication, Communication Studies

Jennifer Fritz, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Natural Sciences, Biology Integrative Office

Kristie Loescher, Associate Professor of Instruction, McCombs School of Business, Management

Angela McDermott, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Management
Sarah Norris, Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Information

Nina Palmo, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Liberal Arts, Sociology
Tom Rauzi, Lecturer, McCombs School of Business, Management

Michael Romero, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
Jennifer Smith, Assistant Professor of Instruction, College of Education, Curriculum & Instruction