First cohort of educators earn promotions through Faculty Advancement Plan

Fourteen faculty members earned promotions through the school’s new Faculty Advancement Plan.

The Faculty Advancement Plan is designed to empower faculty members to reach their full potential through goal-setting and recognition of excellence. In addition to developing depth within their content area, the plan emphasizes breadth and balance across three domains — academics, service, and professional achievements. It provides a financial benefit for those who complete the process.

The plan establishes three faculty ranks — Instructor, Instructor of Distinction, and Instructor of Excellence.

Instructor is the entry-level rank for all new full-time faculty members.

Instructors may apply for either of the higher ranks by attaining points based on a rubric that takes into account the faculty members’ campus involvement and accomplishments both within and outside of the classroom.

Faculty base salary is determined by the level of degree they hold upon being hired.

By earning higher ranks, educators may increase their base pay by as much as $10,000. The goal is to ensure ASMSA faculty members are among the best compensated educators in the state.

Faculty members were able to submit an application for consideration for the first time last fall. Each one was considered by the Faculty Advancement Committee.

The committee approved promotions for 14 faculty members to be considered for the rank of Instructor of Excellence. Those promotions were approved by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees at its November meeting.

Faculty members who were granted the rank of Instructor of Excellence, their highest degree, and their department included:

• Carl Frank, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;

• Caleb Grisham, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;

• Whitney Holden, Ph.D., Science;

• Bryan Ieamsang, Master of Arts, Arts and Humanities;

• James Katowich, Master of Fine Arts, Arts and Humanities;

• Dan Kostopulos, Ph.D., Arts and Humanities;

• Patrycja Krakowiak, Ph.D., Science;

• Walt Levisee, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;

• Ron Luckow, Master of Arts, Arts and Humanities;

• Nicholas Seward, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;

• Shane Thompson, Master of Science, Science;

• Jack Waddell, Ph.D., Science;

• Lindsey Waddell, Ph.D., Science; and

• Brad Wreyford, Master of Fine Arts, Arts and Humanities.

“The application process is rigorous and requires applicants to review thoroughly their teaching practices and to think deeply about the arc of their careers,” said Stuart Flynn, dean of academic affairs at ASMSA.

The ranks officially went into effect on January 1.