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2018-19 Wilson H. Elkins Professorships to Support Mathematics Education, Civic Engagement, and Nursing

The University System of Maryland (USM) has awarded the 2018-19 Wilson H. Elkins Professorships to four faculty members at three USM institutions in the fields of mathematics education, civic engagement, and nursing.

The Elkins Professorships support professors and researchers who demonstrate exemplary ability to inspire students and whose professional work and scholarly endeavors make a positive impact at their universities, the entire system, and beyond.

Candidates for the Elkins Professorship must possess a solid record of achievement in their academic or professional disciplines; demonstrate a desire and ability to lead and inspire undergraduate and graduate students; show significant achievement beyond their traditional disciplines; and demonstrate ability and intent to pursue scholarly or professional activities beyond USM.

“These educators and scholars are cultivating an environment focused on civic responsibility, innovative education, and economic development,” said USM Chancellor Robert Caret. “We are fortunate to have them as part of Maryland’s public university system.”

This year's award winners are, by institution/professor:

Frostburg State University — Justin Dunmyre, associate professor of mathematics, will expand the university’s learning assistant program, which employs inquiry-based learning to help students succeed. Through the program, two exemplary students are selected to become learning assistants and support instructors by engaging with other students through active learning methods. The learning assistant program will be implemented in multiple courses in the Mathematics Department at Frostburg State. (Award Amount: $14,000)

Salisbury University — Sarah Surak and Alexander Pope, co-directors of Salisbury University's Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, will be expanding two of the programs at the institute: the Civic Reflection Initiative and the Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum. The Civic Reflection Initiative engages people and places specific to Maryland through the development of library resources and support for civic learning in K-12 schools. Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum provides faculty at Salisbury with resources and preparation to incorporate civic learning into their courses. (Award Amount: $70,000)

University of Maryland, Baltimore — Louise Jenkins, a professor in the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Department of Partnerships and co-founder and director of the Institute for Educators, is developing a comprehensive blueprint for the preparation of the next generation of nursing faculty in the state of Maryland. Her development plan will include creation of a think tank of experts in teaching and learning, expansion of pilot projects, and engagement with faculty throughout the state. (Award Amount: $50,000)

The Wilson H. Elkins Professorship honors the late Wilson H. Elkins, who led the University of Maryland, College Park to new levels of distinction as its president from 1954 to 1978. The Wilson H. Elkins Endowment Fund supports the professorship awards in combination with institutional and system resources. This endowment and others like it further USM's mission of teaching, research, and public service. For more information, visit the Wilson H. Elkins Professorship web page.


 

Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 410.576.5748
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu

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