Provost Richard Plumb has appointed professor Camille George to a newly created position: associate vice provost for global and local engagement.
In her new role, George provides leadership and creates strategic partnerships to advance the university’s community and international initiatives. In addition, she is responsible for international activities, including study abroad, international scholar exchange programs, special initiatives, and collaborative agreements with international universities and nonprofit organizations.
A faculty member since 2002, George works closely with individuals and departments university-wide to mobilize and strengthen university and community-based partnerships that prepare students to become engaged citizens. She also is collaborating with faculty to help create opportunities for the development and delivery of innovative programming to enhance student learning and address community-identified needs and to foster service-learning throughout the university.
George has a broad background in applied industrial research that includes examining magneto-mechanical pumps, modeling aircraft engine failures, and predicting performance in twin-screw compressors. Her particular field of expertise is in the coupling of electro-magnetic fields with ionized gases. Applications range from welding and surface coatings, to odor and waste destruction.
In addition, George has pioneered Peace Engineering at St. Thomas. A member of Engineers without Borders and Engineers for a Sustainable World, she has led projects in which students helped women’s cooperatives in Haiti harvest breadfruit to use as a flour substitute, and has investigated how to make the production of shea butter in Mali more efficient.