UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Provost's Office

2020 Retiring Faculty Ceremony, April 15

The following faculty members have announced their retirement at the conclusion of the spring 2020 semester, according to Kathleen Staten, provost’s office:

  • Robert J. Albright, Professor of Electrical Engineering, 50 years
  • Robin D. Anderson, Dean of the Pamplin School of Business and Franz Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship, 22 years.
  • James B. Carroll, Professor of Education, 27 years
  • Frances Simmons, Instructor, School Nursing, 31 years
  • Thomas G. Greene, Provost and Professor of Education, 37 years

A ceremony and reception for all 2020 retirees will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at 3:30 p.m., in the Bauccio Commons board room. For more information contact Staten at x7105 or staten@up.edu.

Rank & Tenure: 2020 Tenure, Promotions

The provost’s office has announced the following promotions and grants of tenure, effective July 1, 2020:

  • Alexa Dare, communication studies: promoted to associate professor, granted tenure
  • Christopher Lee, mathematics: promoted to associate professor, granted tenure
  • Susan Murray, biology: promoted to associate professor, granted tenure
  • Natalie Nelson-Marsh, communication studies: promoted to associate professor, granted tenure
  • Nicole Ralston, education: promoted to associate professor, granted tenure
  • Shazib Vijlee, mechanical engineering: promoted to associate professor, granted tenure
  • Halina Wyss, nursing: promoted to associate professor, granted tenure.

For more information contact the provost’s office at x7105 or staten@up.edu.

 

Provost’s Initiative for Undergrad Research: New Deadline

John Orr, Assistant ProvostFaculty members are invited to apply for one of ten spring 2020 Provost’s Initiative grants for support to collaborate with an undergraduate on a co-designed research project during the spring semester 2020. Students are expected to meet and work with the faculty member weekly. Students will enroll in a 493 course and will earn a minimum of 1-credit for their work on the project and produce an artifact (research paper, lit review, or presentation etc.) appropriate to the discipline. (Note 1 credit hour typically requires 45 hours of work on the project, which includes faculty meeting time). Faculty members who are new to undergraduate research at University of Portland will receive $1,500 for mentoring the student in research, while experienced faculty members will be compensated $1,000.

Applications are available here and are due November 15, 2019. Email ur@up.edu with questions or call John Orr, assistant provost, at x7857.

Thomas G. Greene, Thank You

University of Portland provost Thomas G. Greene will retire from his position effective June 30, 2020, according to University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. According to Fr. Poorman, “In our University’s proud 118-year history, there are few individuals whose devotion and love for UP matches that of Dr. Greene’s.  He is the epitome of what a twenty-first century Provost should be.  Our institution’s sadness to be losing such an admired and transformational leader is surpassed only by our gratitude to have counted him as one of our own and our joy for the promise of his happy retirement spent alongside family and friends.”

Greene joined UP in 1983 as an adjunct instructor in the School of Education. Before joining the UP faculty full time in 2004, Green had a long and distinguished career in public education. Among many other posts, he served as principal of East Orient School in Gresham, superintendent of the Orient School District, and assistant superintendent of the Beaverton and Gresham-Barlow School Districts. At UP he held leadership positions as associate dean of the School of Education (2004–07), associate provost and dean of the Graduate School (2007–12), interim dean of the School of Education (2009–10), and interim provost (2012–13) before being named the University Provost in 2013. A brilliant and dedicated teacher who is devoted to his students, Greene has carried a credit hour load every fall and spring semester since 1983 in addition to his significant administrative leadership duties.

He has overseen approval of several new degree programs, guided the University’s sustained successes in undergraduate enrollment, supervised the University’s rise in graduation rate, established and revitalized centers and institutes, hired and mentored critical senior academic leaders, coordinated complex reaccreditation, compensation, and curriculum projects; and assisted with the development of various capital projects. In addition to his immense leadership talents and dedication to mission, many across our University community will miss his quick wit, his warm smile, and the sheer, unabashed joy he brought to his work on The Bluff.

Further details regarding the national search for Greene’s successor will be communicated in the months ahead. Please join the the University community in sending best wishes to Tom, his wife Shannon, and his family for a retirement filled with happiness.

For more information contact the president’s office at x7101 or president@up.edu.

New Faculty Profiles: Mohammad Arbabian, Narcy Foraker, Isabelle Soule

The Office of the Provost would like to introduce this year’s new faculty members to the UP community, highlighting two or three each week. This week, we are pleased to introduce:

Visit the 2019 New Faculty Profiles page and get to know all our new faculty members.

Ignite Grants: Time to Apply

The Office of the Provost’s Ignite Grants support fresh approaches to curriculum and program development that make an impactful contribution to UP’s teaching and learning future. Ignite Grants, up to $5,000, are designed to encourage faculty to explore new ideas that have the potential to reshape the classroom experience and that tie curriculum to real-world experiences in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Proposals should complement the current strategic plan and support individual school strategies and priorities. Ideas are encouraged from all corners of campus.

The next request for proposals will open on September 16, 2019. Details about the process and requirements can be viewed at this link. The deadline for proposals is January 20, 2020. Grants will be awarded in early April, 2020. New for this year are two initiative tracts: 1) Faculty Innovation and 2) Instructional Technology.

If you’ve got an idea that might be a good fit for Ignite funding, please contact the Ignite team at ignite@up.edu to explore the possibilities.

July 4 Holiday: Offices Closed, No Classes

The Independence Day holiday will be observed for University of Portland employees on Thursday, July 4, according to the 2019 University holiday schedule. All University offices will be closed and classes will not be held.

For more information, contact human resources at x8484 or hr@up.edu. Contact the provost’s office at x7105 or staten@up.edu for more information regarding classes.