Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
33 exceptional teacher-scholars recognized during WCU’s banner year for research and reclassification
WEST CHESTER » West Chester University has ushered in an exciting new era for research while remaining committed to its priority of teaching first and foremost. At a time when the University prepares to celebrate its next class of soon-tobe graduates, West Chester University recently recognized another outstanding academic class — 33 exceptional teacher-scholars whose compelling research efforts are enhancing issues related to community solutions; diversity, equity and inclusion; sustainability; student development; and leadership and innovation. The teacher-scholar group, whose 23 research projects align directly with the five specific areas outlined in the University’s strategic plan, was formally recognized during a featured Spotlight on Faculty Research evening that took place in the University’s new 175,000 square-ft. Sciences and Engineering Center and The Commons.
“Today, as we look forward to a promising future for the research enterprise at West Chester University, we also commemorate the hard work and commitment of the faculty members whose leadership, curiosity, and expertise have brought us to this moment,” said Vice Provost for Research & Creative Activity Nicole Bennett in opening remarks.
Bennett acknowledged that the University’s sponsored research funding is on the rise with the accumulation of more than $5 million in fiscal year 2021; the increase in grant funding is the highest experienced by the University.
“As part of our new era for research, external grant funding for the University is increasing,” added Bennett. “Funds for student services and training are actually outpacing funding for research and development. This is undoubtedly a reflection of the commitment of University faculty, staff, and administrators to improving student success.”
The University’s time has certainly come as this new era coincides with its reclassification from Master’s Colleges & Universities — Larger Programs (M1) to Doctoral Universities — High Research Activity (R2) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The University’s new 2021 classification took place during Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s most recent threeyear cycle of evaluation, which was posted for a public-review period in December of 2021. Carnegie’s last update occurred in 2018.
According to the classification, R2 universities have “high research activity” in academic settings where teaching is the priority. In an R2 university, most courses are taught by professors who are involved in research activities and often include students in their research work.
“R2 signals that West Chester University takes research seriously,” said Deputy Provost and Vice President for Academic Operations Jeffery Osgood to the audience of award winners and guests. “At the same time, blending research with teaching makes for research-informed teaching, which provides the most robust experiences for our students. We are here today to celebrate the teacher-scholars who bring excellence to the classroom through their teaching every day.”
Osgood presented an inscribed award to each of the following teacher-scholars during the program:
Josh Auld, Associate Professor & Assistant Chairperson, Biology Michael Boyle, Professor and De
partment Chairperson, Communication and Media Maria Cabrera, Assessment Coordinator & Professor, Languages and Culture Constance Case, Associate Professor, Theatre and Dance Alex Cohen, Assistant Professor, Marketing Simon Condliffe, Professor, Economics and Finance Laquana Cooke, Assistant Professor & Director of iCamp Media Academy, English Patricia Davidson, Professor, Nutrition Anita Foeman, Professor, Communication and Media Elizabeth Foster, Associate Professor, Kinesiology Amir Golmohamadi, Associate Professor, Food Sciences Elizabeth Grillo, Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders Megan Heckert, Associate Professor, Geography and Planning Lauri Hyers, Professor, Psychology Daniel Ilaria, Professor, Secondary Education Kurt Kolasinski, Professor, Chemistry Bessie Lawton, Professor, Communication and Media Grace Liu, Assistant Professor, Business Librarian, University Libraries Rodney Mader, Professor of English; Visiting Research Associate, McNeil Center for Early American Studies Lisa Marano, Professor, Mathematics Rachel McMullin, Associate Professor, Humanities Librarian, University Libraries Brandon Mitchell, Assistant Professor, Physics Paul Morgan, Professor, Educational Foundations & Policy Studies Shannon Mrkich, Associate Professor of English & Director of First-Year Experience Cheryl Neale-McFall, Professor & Interim Chairperson, Counselor Education Mia Ocean, Associate Professor, Social Work Amanda Olejarski, Associate Professor & MPA Director, Public Policy and Administration Matt Saboe, Associate Professor, Economics and Finance Gretchen StudlienWebb, Associate Professor, Dance Jasmin TahmasebMcConatha, Professor, Psychology Julie Tennille, Associate Professor, Social Work Maria Urrutia, Associate Professor, Dance Kerry Walton, Assistant Professor, Electronic Resources Librarian, University Libraries “All of you receiving awards today have demonstrated an unyielding commitment to student success,” said West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino in closing remarks. “You have made an incredible impact with the type of teaching load that you carry and during what has been an incredible past two years. I am so proud and honored to be aligned with faculty who are at the heart of this University and its mission.”
“As you can see, the research-informed teaching conducted by West Chester University faculty is consistently inspiring and fuels our students to be the best versions of themselves in and out of the classroom,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Bernotsky. “We are quite fortunate to work with faculty who are committed to creating extraordinary experiences for their students by producing research, engaging students in that research, and creating relevant graduate programs. By doing so, this University is truly helping to tackle some of the grand challenges of our world in ways that are making significant differences.”
The Spotlight on Faculty Research evening also attracted numerous community partners to the campus-wide celebration. Among those cheering on the University’s award-winning teacher-scholars and students were leaders from West Pharmaceutical Services, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Alliance for Health Equity (formerly Brandywine Health Foundation), Chester County Community Foundation, Penn Medicine (Chester County Hospital), Exton Chamber of Commerce, West Chester Business Improvement District (BID), The Wistar Institute, Nth Solutions, Meridian Bank, Vista Today, Keiretsu Forum, and Aspire Prosthetics.
Details about the university’s R2 reclassification
To be considered an R2 university, a university or college must have awarded at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees and must have had at least $5 million in total research expenditures as reported through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research & Development Survey (HERD). As such, the University’s reclassification to an R2 university is based on research and development expenditures and the number of doctoral students it graduates.
A steady increase in graduate student enrollment between fiscal years 20102020 has been enhanced by the University’s addition of doctoral programs in the fields of clinical psychology (Psy.D.), education policy planning and administration (Ed.D.), nursing practice (D.N.P.), and public administration (D.P.A.).
In FY 2020, the update year, WCU graduated 24 Ed.D. and D.P.A. students combined and invested $6.41 million in research and development as defined by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research & Development Survey (HERD) survey. The University investment in research has been greater than $5 million since FY 2015, so the new Carnegie Classification is really a reflection of the fact that WCU’s professional practice doctoral programs are beginning to graduate students in higher numbers.
West Chester University
Enrolling more than 17,600 students, West Chester University is the most prominent member of the 14-institution Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Founded in 1871, the University is a comprehensive public institution, offering a diverse range of more than 200 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the campus in Philadelphia, and online. Six colleges and two schools comprise the University: University College, Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the Wells School of Music, and the Graduate School.