Four NDSU faculty members have been named Faculty Fellows for the 2021-2022 academic year, according to Canan Bilen-Green, vice provost for faculty affairs and equity.

Fellows lead or coordinate program initiatives in such areas as faculty development, mentoring, leadership development, recruitment, retention, faculty appointment policies, promotion and tenure, inclusion and faculty affairs special projects.

"Professors Denton, Jung, Napoleon and Prischmann-Voldseth have a wealth of talent and experience to contribute to our campus,” said Provost Margaret Fitzgerald. “I am so pleased they have agreed to serve as fellows and lead important priorities for the Office of the Provost and Faculty Affairs.”

Faculty Fellows will be under the direction of Vice Provost Bilen-Green. They will collaborate with academic leaders and colleagues across campus.

Bilen-Green launched the Faculty Fellows program at NDSU in 2018 and to date 15 faculty members have participated in the program through the Office of the Provost. Moreover, the model has been adopted by other units on campus, including Office of Institutional Research and Analysis, Office of Teaching and Learning, and Research and Creative Activity.

The fellows, who are all members of the President’s Council for Diversity, Inclusion and Respect, are:

• Alan Denton, professor of physics

His project will focus on developing, revising and implementing NDSU policies and procedures regarding faculty positions and personnel matters to improve equity and transparency.

• Jess Jung, associate professor of theatre arts

She will coordinate professional development opportunities and events for faculty, including the Academic Leaders Series and the Faculty Research Series on Engaged Citizenship and Inclusion.

• Larry Napoleon Jr., associate professor of education

His project will include coordinating, developing and delivering professional development events and opportunities for faculty and staff that emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Deirdre Prischmann-Voldseth, professor of natural resource sciences

She will develop events to support new faculty and provide opportunities to build their mentoring networks. She will work to demonstrate how mentoring can increase faculty success and retention.

Denton joined the NDSU faculty in 2000. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering science and master’s degree in physics at the University of Toronto. He earned his doctorate in physics at Cornell University.

Jung came to NDSU in 2014. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Augsburg College, Minneapolis; Master of Fine Arts from De Paul University, Chicago; and graduate certificate in leadership and management from NDSU.

Napoleon joined NDSU in 2009. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Dillard University, New Orleans; master’s degree in education from Xavier University, New Orleans; and doctorate in education at Pennsylvania State University, University Park.

Prischmann-Voldseth came to NDSU in 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Alfred University, New York; master’s degree in entomology at Oregon State University; and doctorate in entomology from Washington State University.

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