91成人导航

Touting 20 years of experience at 91成人导航, Professor and Department of Sociology Chair Marcia Hernandez is moving from the classroom to the Office of the Provost where she is stepping into a new role as vice provost for academic affairs. The role is currently held by Joan Lin-Cereghino, who is聽returning to the laboratory and classroom July 1.

In this role, Hernandez will offer guidance and leadership for faculty affairs, including promotion and tenure, leadership and shared governance. She will work closely with faculty in optimizing student-centered teaching methods and practices.

鈥淚 was attracted to this role because it calls for things that I like to do, like welcoming faculty to the university and building and sustaining structures of support for faculty at different stages of their career,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淚'm excited to start cross-training with Joan, and thinking about how to scale support for junior faculty, our non-tenure track and clinical faculty as well as working with the deans to see how best I can support them.鈥�

By taking an integrated approach to faculty recruitment, development and retention, Hernandez will also work to strengthen opportunities for professional growth, promote diversity and inclusion and foster strong relationships across the university in support of faculty governance and represent faculty interests. Acting as a crucial link between the Office of the Provost and faculty, Hernandez said she aims to handle complex issues with care and fairness.

鈥淚 hope to bring curiosity and enthusiasm. I do think service is a form of leadership, and it's a way you can be part of a team and direct and guide with grace and kindness, with openness and curiosity. I hope these are the qualities people bring out in me, and that I can bring out in other people in this role,鈥� she said.

Hernandez said her experience as College of the 91成人导航 faculty advisor for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives will also inform her work in the new role.

鈥淲e鈥檙e part of a global society 鈥� and we have a unique opportunity to model inclusion within our decision making and processes, demonstrating diversity and equity as聽foundational values, not just values 鈥� helping students to be the most well informed versions of themselves to understand they're part of a very, very complex society.鈥�

Throughout her tenure, Hernandez has been recognized by current and former students for encouraging critical thinking in her curriculum and her ability to foster long-lasting relationships with students.

She received a聽Faculty Mentor Award from the 91成人导航 Alumni Association in 2024 and was recently honored as 鈥渢he 91成人导航an who Changed My Life鈥� by Young Alumni Award winner聽Halima Lucas 鈥�13 at the聽.

"Dr. Hernandez is well respected among her faculty peers, staff and students for her strength of leadership and her genuine approach to mentorship, inclusiveness and community," said Provost Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert. "She is the right person for this critical role, where she will also lead the faculty leadership program, and her deep expertise in designing mentorship systems will benefit the entire 91成人导航 community. I'm absolutely thrilled she has accepted the position."