Seidel Names Second Cohort of UW Presidential Fellows

Eleven University of Wyoming faculty members have been selected by President Ed Seidel for the second Presidential Fellows Program cohort, which will run from now through May.

In alignment with UW’s 2023+ strategic plan, the purpose of the Presidential Fellows Program is to elevate and facilitate faculty-led projects that advance the university. Celebration and promotion of teaching, research, extension, engagement, innovation, inclusion and service contributions to UW’s mission are a key execution strategy of the strategic plan, and the Presidential Fellows Program contributes to this work.

The faculty members selected by the president as Fellows will work in close collaboration with the Office of the President and other units to develop projects that enhance the academic, research, economic development and civic engagement missions of the university.

“We received many excellent applications for the Presidential Fellows Program this year, and I think this cohort will achieve very positive outcomes in their projects,” Seidel says. “Each of these individuals is going to contribute to the success and excellence of UW and the state of Wyoming through these projects, and I feel that this work will have an impact at this institution for many years to come.” 

Members of the second cohort of Fellows are:

-- Nevin Aiken, an associate professor in the School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies. He will work with Vice Provost for Graduate Education Jim Ahern to explore the idea of establishing an experiential learning center on the UW campus.

-- William Cain, an assistant professor in the School of Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy and Design. He will work with School of Computing Associate Director Jeff Hamerlinck to establish an artificial intelligence adviser position on campus.

-- Conxita Domènech, a professor of Iberian literature and cultures in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. She will work with College of Arts and Sciences Dean Scott Turpen to establish a WyoFaculty Writing Group.

-- Dario Grana, a professor and the Wyoming Excellence Chair in the Department of Geology and Geophysics. He will work with Provost and Executive Vice President Kevin Carman to investigate the merit criteria of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

-- Fraidoon Karimi, a visiting scholar in the Department of Plant Sciences, will work with Vice President for Research and Economic Development Parag Chitnis to investigate how strawberries react to various shade avoidance cues; expand controlled environment agriculture programs at UW; and foster relationships with industry partners.

-- Lars Kotthoff, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will work with Seidel to address the challenges of large language models in higher education.

-- Katie Li-Oakey, a professor in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She will work with Dean Cameron Wright and Strategic Adviser Tom Peterson to advance research and economic development in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

-- Rachel Sailor, a professor of art history in the Department of Visual Arts. She will work with Richard Miller, director of the Advising, Career and Exploratory Studies Center, to address the state of public humanities education at UW; have meaningful conversations about the application of a humanities education; and take concrete steps toward helping humanities students commit to public-sector and private-enterprise careers in the state.

-- Reshmi Singh, an associate professor in the School of Pharmacy, will work with Vice Provost for Global Engagement Isa Helfgott to create and facilitate a faculty learning community for global engagement with community colleges and the UW campus.

 -- Mia Williams, an assistant professor in the School of Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy and Design, will work with Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning Director Janel Seeley to explore the use of artificial intelligence models in pedagogy at UW. 

-- Di Yang, an assistant professor in the Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center under the School of Computing, will work with School of Computing Director Gabrielle Allen to expand geospatial science education and research for Wyoming communities.

The Presidential Fellows Program is funded by the Office of the President, and the time commitment can vary from four to 15 hours per week. The length of the fellowship is expected to be a full academic year.

For more information, go to www.uwyo.edu/president/faculty_awards/faculty-fellow/index.html.