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Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back! The beginning of a new academic year brings renewed energy to our campuses as we welcome both new and returning students to ����ԭ��. Weeks of Welcome provides many opportunities to help students build connections, engage with campus resources and establish a strong foundation for success. I encourage you to participate in those activities where your presence can make a meaningful impact.

As classes begin, I also want to remind you that the first days of the semester are particularly important for student retention and engagement. Thoughtfully designed course introductions, early outreach and timely participation roster reporting all contribute to helping students feel connected and supported as they begin the term.

Finally, congratulations to our faculty colleagues who have earned promotions and tenure, and a warm welcome to those joining the ����ԭ�� community this year. Your dedication to teaching, scholarship and service continues to shape the experiences of our students and advance the mission of the university.

I wish you a successful start to the Fall Semester and look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

Welcome, New Faculty!

We look forward to working with our new faculty and are excited to introduce them to the ����ԭ�� community!

• Nidal Abu-Zahra, Associate Dean, CECS
• Jonathan Allen, Assistant Professor and Director, Health and Exercise Sciences, CECS
• Heath Anderson, Lecturer, Civics Center
• Annie Balster, Clinical Instructor, Nursing, Lake Campus
• Joey Barretta, Visiting Associate Professor, Civics Center
• Valda Black, Visiting Professor, School of Social Sciences and International Studies, COLA
• Obed Buadi, Lecturer, School of Finance, Accountancy, Management, Information Systems and Economics, RSCOB
• Regina Buccello-Stout, Instructor, Psychology, COSM
• Timothy Bunning, Interim Dean, CECS
• Stephen Colegate, Instructor, Medical Education, BSOM
• Brandi Cosgrove, Assistant Professor, Human Services, CHEH
• Miranda Dickerson, Clinical Instructor, Nursing, CHEH
• Ayoub Ghalim, Assistant Professor, School of Finance, Accountancy, Management, Information Systems and Economics, RSCOB
• Katey Gibbins-Burdette, Clinical Assistant Professor, Professional Psychology, CHEH
• Heather Harrall, Clinical Instructor, Nursing, CHEH
• Kelsey Hofer, Lecturer, Human Services, CHEH
• Teresa Howey, Instructor, Human Services, CHEH
• Jessica Hoyng, Clinical Instructor, Nursing, Lake Campus
• Kalyn Jasinski, Instructor, Health and Exercise Sciences, CHEH
• Cem Kurt, Visiting Assistant Professor, Health and Exercise Sciences, CHEH
• Selena Johnson, Lecturer, Mathematics and Statistics, COSM
• Jackson Marques de Carvalho, Instructor, Computer Science, CECS
• Charles Marsden, Visiting Assistant Professor, Health and Exercise Sciences, CHEH
• Mallory McCord, Assistant Professor, Psychology, COSM
• Nicholas Meriwether, Visiting Senior Faculty/Faculty Associate, Civics Center
• Tess Mitchner-Asinjo, Lecturer and Director, School of Education and Leadership, CHEH
• Stephen Owusu, Visiting Assistant Professor, Chemistry, COSM
• Erin Robbins, Instructor, Theatre, COLA
• Edward Rowse, Clinical Instructor, Nursing, CHEH
• Mu Ruipu, Assistant Professor, Chemistry, COSM
• Brett Schrier, Instructor, Voice, School of Fine and Performing Arts, COLA
• Tahrina Tanjim Shaulin, Instructor, Mechanical Engineering Lake
• Deepak Shrestha, Visiting Assistant Professor, Chemistry, COSM
• Kanishka Sikligar, Assistant Professor, Chemistry, COSM
• Nikisha Smith, Lecturer, Teacher Education and Leadership, CHEH
• Ranjeesh Suri, Dean, RSCOB
• Munmun Talukder, Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, CECS
• Emma Veley, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, CECS

We also welcome new faculty who joined us beginning in the Spring 2026 Semester!

• Maria Balch, Assistant Professor, Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, BSOM
• Shawn Jackson, Visiting Faculty and Program Manager, Civics Center
• Christina Miles, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, BSOM
• Nasim Nosoudi, Associate Professor, Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, CECS
• Barry Pruett, Visiting Faculty and Program Manager, Civics Center

Faculty Promotions and Tenure 

Congratulations to our faculty colleagues who have recently earned tenure and promotion! This achievement reflects your exceptional scholarship, dedicated teaching and meaningful service to our university and community. Earning tenure and promotion is a significant milestone that recognizes years of hard work, intellectual contributions and commitment to student success.

Promotion to Professor

• Hamed Attariani, Engineering Technology, Lake Campus
• Harok Bae, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, CECS
• Tanvi Banerjee, Computer Science and Engineering, CECS
• Brian Boyd, Teacher Education, CHEH
• James Carter, Social Work, CHEH
• Caroline Hillard, Art History, COLA
• Lisa Kellar, Family Medicine, BSOM
• Mindy McNutt, Leadership Studies, CHEH
• Megan Rua, Biological Sciences, COSM
• Courtney Simons, Education and Human Services, Lake Campus
• Weiqun Zhang, Mathematics, Lake Campus

 Promotion to Associate Professor

• Lindsay Benedik, Medical Education and Geriatric, BSOM
• Craig Rohan, Pharmacology and Toxicology, BSOM

Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure

• Natasha Banerjee, Computer Science and Engineering, CECS
• Sean Banerjee, Computer Science and Engineering, CECS
• Mumtaz Karatas, Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, CECS
• Cogan Shimizu, Computer Science and Engineering, CECS
• Neal Snow, Accountancy, RSCOB

 Promotion to Senior Lecturer

• Chad Campbell, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, COSM
• Craig Baudendistel, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, CECS
• Pam Garverick, Psychology, COSM
• Patrick Sonner, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, COSM
• Ginger Minneman, Music, COLA
• Mindy Bettinger, Science, Math and Engineering, Lake Campus
• Steven Pedler, Humanities and Social Sciences, Lake Campus

Proposed Academic Reorganization: Feedback Requested

The Office of the Provost has shared a proposed reorganization of the university’s academic enterprise intended to better align the institution with Strategic Plan 2030 and position ����ԭ�� for future growth. The proposal is designed to strengthen strategic enrollment efforts, align academic units with emerging workforce and industry needs, expand collaboration in key areas such as defense, engineering, technology, healthcare and P–12 education, and support research, entrepreneurship and creative activities.

To learn more about the proposed academic reorganization, review the organizational chart and proposed academic unit structure using the links below. Faculty and staff are invited to submit comments and recommendations through the by Sept. 16. Log in with your ����ԭ�� credentials to access the materials.

Career Escalators Network: Faculty Training Opportunity

The Career Hub is launching the Career Escalators Network, a new faculty-focused initiative that supports ����ԭ��'s broader Career Is Everywhere strategy to embed career readiness throughout the student experience. Recognizing that faculty are often the first people students turn to with questions about careers, internships, graduate school and life after graduation, this training will provide practical tools and resources to help faculty guide students toward career success.

Participants will learn about campus career resources, strategies for navigating career conversations with students, the integration of the National Association of Colleges and Employers Career Competencies into coursework, the role of AI in career readiness, identifying employment scams and using Handshake to support students. Faculty attendees will also receive a Handshake account to assist with these efforts.

An in-person training will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m.–noon.

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Simple Syllabus 

As faculty prepare for the Fall Semester, CaTS encourages instructors to use the as their primary resource for Simple Syllabus support. The site provides access to Simple Syllabus how‑to guides, documentation, upcoming training opportunities, news and updates and additional instructional technology resources, including Pilot support materials.

Course syllabi in Simple Syllabus were expected to be available for students and department chairs beginning Aug. 17. We recognize that this transition semester has presented new challenges as faculty become familiar with the system and the requirements associated with public-facing syllabi. If you have not yet finalized your syllabus, please note that it must be completed and published by Aug. 24, our state-mandated deadline.

Faculty who have questions about creating, editing or publishing their syllabi are encouraged to review the available resources before .

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New Graduate Tuition Remission Benefit for Employees’ Non-Dependent Children and Stepchildren 

The university is now offering a new graduate tuition remission benefit for the non-dependent children and stepchildren of benefit-eligible employees. The benefit covers 50% of tuition for master’s degree programs, providing an additional opportunity for employees and their families to pursue graduate education at ����ԭ��.

To be eligible, the student must be a non-dependent child or stepchild of a benefit-eligible employee. Tuition remission benefits cannot be combined with other institutional aid, including scholarships, grants, fee remissions or assistantships, and the benefit does not cover fees. Employees should also be aware that this benefit has potential tax implications, as the value of the remission may be considered taxable income.

Faculty and staff interested in learning more about this opportunity or beginning the application process are encouraged to review the details and .

Learn more.

Center for Faculty Excellence Update 

The Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) welcomes Peggy Kelly as its new director. A longtime member of the ����ԭ�� faculty and an active contributor to faculty development initiatives, Peggy brings extensive instructional experience and a strong commitment to supporting effective teaching and student success.

The CFE will continue to offer programs such as the Course Design Institute, Teaching Community of Practice, Mentoring Circles and professional development opportunities focused on emerging topics, including artificial intelligence. Additionally, the center will expand support for graduate teaching assistants and adjunct instructors while strengthening partnerships across campus related to accessibility, instructional technology and evidence-based teaching practices.

Faculty are encouraged to share ideas, suggestions and professional development needs with the CFE as it continues to develop programming and resources that support teaching excellence across the university.

Student Success and Academic Engagement

Academic Success Centers

Embed academic success in your course by connecting students to the Academic Success Centers early in the semester. Faculty are our best way to make students aware of the support that is available to them. Here are three ways you can help connect students to our support:

1. Put support information in your syllabus. We have ready-made snippets you can use on our Faculty and Staff Resources webpage.
2. Bring your students to the Academic Success Centers or have us visit your class. You can request tours and classroom visits through our .
3. Add the Academic Success Centers widget to your Pilot homepage.

If you are unsure if your course is supported by the Academic Success Centers, check here: course-based tutoring, the Math Learning Center, Supplemental Instruction and the Writing Center.

Contact Alison Witte, director of the Academic Success Centers, with any questions.

Peer Navigators

The Peer Navigator Program is designed to connect students with upperclassmen for regular support and mentorship. The program matches students with a peer navigator for regular meetings that encourage, give direction and help navigate the university successfully. Peer navigators focus on holistic well-being by providing support, problem-solving and goal-setting tips that assist students in reaching their educational goals.

The Peer Navigator Program seeks to:

• Increase sense of belonging with a built-in peer support system
• Initiate early intervention strategies as needed
• Provide an additional touch point via regular follow-up
• Identify barriers prohibiting student success
• Allow students to see their peers model excellence
• Assist in the transition between high school and university life
• Promote healthy classroom behaviors

Learn more.

Raising Early Alerts for Students

Faculty play a critical role in identifying students who may benefit from additional support. Early Alerts can be submitted through the Slate Student Success Portal by accessing the course roster and selecting “Submit Alert/Referral” for a student of concern. Early Alerts enable timely intervention from campus support teams and help connect students with resources that promote academic success. Questions may be directed to academic-engagement@wright.edu.

Learn more.

Start the Semester Strong event

The Division of Student Success is offering events throughout the semester to equip students with the academic resources they need to navigate the university successfully.

The first event, the Strong Start Celebration, is on Thursday, Aug. 27, in the Student Union Atrium, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. This one-stop shop event connects students with critical resources needed for a strong start to the Fall Semester. Faculty are encouraged to promote this event to their students.

Faculty Intervention Dates at a Glance 

Due Dates
	Full Term	A Term	B Term
Participation Roster Reports due from faculty by 11:59 p.m.	Tuesday, Sept. 1	Tuesday, Sept. 1	Tuesday, Oct. 20
Midterm Grades due by noon (Only applies to FULL term classes; required of all undergraduate classes, optional for graduate classes)	Monday, Oct. 12
Last day to drop with a W grade	Friday, Oct. 23	Friday, Sept. 18	Friday, Nov. 6

 

Participation Rosters

In order to comply with federal financial aid regulations, instructors are required to determine if a student has established attendance or participated in each course. This information must be reported each semester during the first week of each class using the form (WINGS). Variable date classes (known as X term) must report by the end of the eighth day after the start date of the course.

All courses (undergraduate and graduate) are required to report Participation Rosters. This includes any lab classes that are worth credit, thesis/dissertation classes, independent studies courses, etc. The only courses exempt from reporting are those that are not eligible for federal financial aid. This includes College Credit Plus classes taught in the high schools and zero credit classes. Additional information is available on the Registrar’s Participation Rosters webpage.

Midterm Grades

Faculty will regularly submit midterm grades for all undergraduate courses. Further information is available on the Registrar’s Grading page.

Faculty Activity Reporting

As a reminder, faculty should continue to maintain and update their activities in Watermark Faculty Success for the 2025–2026 academic year (fall 2025 through summer 2026). Activity reports reflect the prior academic year.

The faculty review process is being updated to align with Senate Bill 1 requirements. As a result, the evaluation rubric and related review procedures are still being finalized. Faculty should focus on ensuring that their activities are current and complete in Faculty Success. The submission window for forwarding Faculty Activity Reports to department chairs is expected to open in early September, and additional guidance will be shared once the process is finalized.

Faculty who need assistance using Faculty Success may contact Faculty Success Questions to schedule an individual training session.

School of Graduate Studies Events

The School of Graduate Studies will welcome incoming graduate students at the New Graduate Student Orientation on Friday, Aug. 21, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. in the Vishal Soin Center for Innovation Auditorium. Following the orientation, new graduate students will gather for a Graduate Student Social from approximately 2:45–4:30 p.m. on the second floor of Dunbar Library.

Orientation and social provide an opportunity for incoming graduate students to begin building connections with their peers, become familiar with university resources and start their academic journey as members of our graduate community. We encourage faculty members to stop by the social to welcome our new students.

When a Student Needs Support 

is a great resource for helping students or making referrals. This site contains contact information for emergency or essential departments that can assist your students all in one location.

The Student Success Navigator showcases the wide range of resources designed to support our students. Whether students are interested in joining a student organization, looking for access to mental health services, playing a sport or finding a job, all information is available in one central location.