I am pleased to announce that Dr. Ann Johnson will serve as the new director of the St. Thomas Faculty Development Center.
Ann, recommended for a three-year appointment by the Faculty Search Committee, will begin her new position on July 1, 2011. She will replace Dr. Sue Chaplin, who is completing her fourth year as director.
Ann, a professor and chair of the Psychology Department since 2003, has taught at St. Thomas since 1988. She has directed the Women’s Studies Program at St. Thomas and the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities’ Women’s Studies Program, and is a recipient of the Sister Pat Kowalski Women’s Leadership Award. Her recent research concerns the role of women in the field of psychology. She has published one book and many articles and has a long record of service on committees at St. Thomas.
The Center for Faculty Development, located on the fourth floor of the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center, supports the professional growth of faculty by providing programming and grants for faculty development in pedagogy, engagement of the profession, and service.
Ann is interested in developing new programming that will speak to the changing demographics of the St. Thomas faculty. She intends to address the concerns of a research-active faculty who have high expectations for pedagogical excellence, and she also seeks to include activities and programs specifically tailored to the needs of graduate and professional faculty.
Please join me in congratulating Ann on her new appointment and in welcoming her to her forthcoming position as director of the Faculty Development Center.