Educators Earn Promotion Amidst Pandemic
It was a challenging year to be an educator. The COVID-19 pandemic tested the faculty’s preparation and course delivery in unprecedented ways. Still, the faculty at DeSales University rose to the occasion, and several members of our faculty have been granted tenure, promotion, and/or extended contracts.
“DeSales University is very fortunate to have a strong faculty who are committed to the vocation of teaching,” says Brother Dan Wisniewski, OSFS, provost. “The full-time faculty members promoted this year are a snapshot of the quality of our faculty-at-large. This quality has been demonstrated in a unique way during the past year and a half of the pandemic by innovation, adaptability, and commitment to meeting the educational needs of our students.”
Congratulations to the following six faculty members who were promoted for their achievements:
- Dr. Michelle Bolger was granted tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor.
- Dr. Katherine Grasso was granted tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor.
- Ms. Karen Ruggles was granted tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor.
- Dr. Joshua Slee was granted tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor.
- Dr. Sean Griech was granted a five-year extended contract and promoted to the rank of associate professor.
- Dr. Christos Karagiannopoulos was granted a five-year extended contract and promoted to the rank of associate professor.
Also, Dr. Michael Gallagher, associate professor, was granted a renewal of his five-year extended contract.
To achieve promotion, faculty must demonstrate excellence in three areas: teaching, scholarship and professional growth, and service. Once recommended for promotion, it is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to grant the honor.
“The excellence and integration of these three pillars of academe in the faculty support the University's mission to inspire transformational learning through the liberal arts and professional studies,” says Brother Dan. “These promoted faculty members now stand as exemplars in the academy and within their respective fields of expertise, and as such become leaders and mentors among their colleagues here at DeSales University and in their professional communities.”
