College Update – February 2024

Deadlines | AGLS 125 Instructors | Hullabloom Fest

Dean’s Team Updates

Congratulations!

• Dr. Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman, Department of Entomology, has been awarded 2023-2024 Provost Academic Professional Track, APT, Faculty Teaching Excellence Award.

• Dr. Leslie Kelso-Winemiller, Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, has been awarded 2023-2024 Provost APT Faculty Teaching Excellence Award.

• Dr. John Mullet, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, has been awarded the title of University Distinguished Professor.

• Dr. Jennifer Strong, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, has been appointed as holder of the Dr. R.H. Citron Endowed University Professor.

Dean’s Open Office Hours

• Dr. Jeffrey Savell and Dr. Patricia Klein are hosting office hours in March. Sign up by 5 p.m., Friday, Mar. 15. Please contact Jill Lee if you have any questions regarding the Open Office Hours.

Upcoming Deadlines and Dates

• Due Friday, Mar. 1: Aviles-Johnson Fellowship Applications.
• Due Friday, Mar. 1: Student Research Week registration.
• Due Monday, Mar. 11: Borlaug CAST Communication Award.
• Due Monday, Mar. 18: AGLS 125 Instructor applications close.
• Full spring semester schedule.

Faculty Affairs

• From the Texas A&M Center for Teaching Excellence:
  • The Center for Teaching Excellence proudly offers a series of dynamic workshops tailored to empower faculty instruction and to create a more enriching classroom learning environment. Explore a diverse range of topics, including peer feedback and collaboration; engagement during lectures; and ethical behavior in mentoring. 
  • Center for Teaching Excellence has a new formal Faculty Mentoring Academy to promote a culture of mentoring within and across Texas A&M University. For more information, visit the center’s page for the faculty mentoring academy.

• Texas A&M encourages faculty to elevate the impact of their work by joining colleagues in publishing articles in The Conversation.

• Texas A&M University Faculty Affairs provides ongoing professional development opportunities for faculty at every career stage.

General Academic Affairs

• FAFSA Updates: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid has changed:
  • General information about FAFSA. 
  • Detailed information on the changes in FASFA occurring in 2024-2025.

• Pregnancy and Related Conditions: Title IX Protections, Accommodations and Other Information. For more information on services provided to pregnant students, see Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations and Resources for Students.

• Disability Services Testing Center: Instructors should complete the testing agreement for a student needing testing accommodations as soon as possible and send exams to the testing center at least three days before the exam. Learn more at Texas A&M Disability Resources.

• Information for Texas A&M University graduate advisors. 

• Aviles-Johnson Fellowship Applications: Round two nominations for graduate fellowships are due by Friday, Mar. 1. See the Aviles-Johnson Fellowship webpage for more information.  

• The Aggie Way Engagement Program is a university-wide initiative that makes it easier to recognize faculty and staff who lead by example by living out our Texas A&M core values. Learn more and nominate colleagues online.

• University Staff Council: The Common Grounds Series connects staff with university leadership on a variety of topics.
  • Have a suggestion specifically for your University Staff Council representative? Email Jamie Norgaard. 
  • Have a suggestion or comment for University Staff Council? Submit your inquiry here.

• An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching: The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning at Texas A&M University (CIRTL@TAMU) will be facilitating a weekly, Zoom-Local Learning Community for the National-Level Massive Open Online Course. Visit the CIRTL site to learn more. 

• Libraries Workshops – various workshops supporting curriculum and research by the University Libraries. Click here for the schedule. 

• If you are a staff or faculty member working with graduate and professional students, stay informed by subscribing to the Graduate Advisors Listserv.

Student Success and Development

• The College is excited to invite applicants for instructors and peer mentors for AGLS 125. This course has been approved by the University as a Hullabaloo U course, a required experience for all incoming students. The University provides instructors and peer mentors $500 each, access to classroom supply funds and, most importantly, the opportunity to mentor our next class of Aggies!
  • Instructors can use the $500 funds for professional development, and students receive the funds directly into their student account. The College will also provide both instructors and peer mentors with professional development workshops, Canvas content for the semester, and social opportunities to connect with others involved in AGLS 125. 
  • The estimated weekly time commitment is approximately 3-4 hours for instructors and 2-3 hours for peer mentors. Both estimates include time spent in the classroom.
  • Learn more and submit a peer mentor application by Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
  • Submit an instructor application by Monday, Mar. 18, 2024.

• Regents’ Scholars can schedule one-on-one meetings with the Student Success Team here. At least one appointment is required from all Regents’ Scholars during their first year as students in the College as part of our Academic Success Program. The Student Success Team is offering 20-minute slots every weekday of the spring 2024 semester to ensure all first-year students have a chance to discuss their goals and progress as well as challenges, and ways our office can best support them.

• The College is excited to offer a Pocket Pantry in the heart of west campus, with ongoing support provided by the Texas A&M Foundation and a generous donation from Lennox International Inc. The pantry is available for students, faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who are experiencing food insecurity.
  • The Pocket Pantry is physically located in Kleberg 109 and is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays when the university is closed. Visitors interested in using this resource can scan the QR code posted on the entrance to suite 109 in Kleberg and check-in with the reception desk. For those with questions, or those needing additional support, please email [email protected]. 

• Algebra Video Series now available: The Algebra Series is a resource for students to ensure they are prepared for their math and statistics courses at Texas A&M. You can explore the Algebra Series online.

• The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has an embedded licensed professional counselor. Ms. Molly McCann’s office is at BCBP 103C. Contact her at [email protected] or 979.845.5032.

Resources for Graduate Students

• University Health Services Workshops for Graduate Students
  • Thursday, Feb 29, 11 a.m.–noon. University Health Services Presents: Stress Management. Register online.
  • Wednesday, Mar 6, 4-5 p.m. University Health Services presents: Self-Compassion. Register online.   

• The TELUS Health Student Support app allows students to text, call and video chat with professional counselors 24/7 via the app. 

• The Teaching as Research, TAR, Fellowship Program has a submission deadline of Wednesday, Mar. 20, at 11:59 pm. Register for a TAR informational session.

• The 51st Annual Meeting of the Texas Genetics Society will take place Thursday-Saturday, Mar. 21-23 at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center at 801 University Drive E in College Station. Registration is now open! Early registration rates end Thursday, Mar. 7. 

• Student Research Week registration is now open! Participants should register online before Mar. 1. Click to learn about and register for one or more roles: Competitors – Judges – Volunteers.

• Monday-Friday, Apr. 1-5: Several Graduate Community of Scholars events will be held during or around National Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week. Save the dates for breakfast tacos at Nagle Hall on Tuesday, Apr. 2; Graduate Community Fun Night on Wednesday, Apr. 3; and Dinner and Dialogue on Wednesday, Apr. 10.

• Graduate Student Professional Development in Teaching, GSPDT: Take advantage of resources from the Center for Teaching Excellence in collaboration with the Graduate and Professional School. Visit GSPDT to learn more.

• Graduate Mentoring Academy: See the Texas A&M Graduate Mentoring Academy page for session schedules and to register.

• Sign up for the Career Center’s Graduate Student Newsletter.

• If you would like to have support for your writing, consider joining a POWER Writing Studio and/or a POWER Writing Group. Fill out a request form online.

• Center for Teaching Excellence English Language Proficiency, CTE-ELP, programs provide training and testing for international students. Current teaching assistants who are not language certified are required to participate with the CTE-ELP program. Click for more information.

• Texas A&M’s International Student and Scholar Services is updating its immigration case management system. Visit https://global.tamu.edu/sunapsis for more information.

• All Texas A&M graduate students participating in research must complete CITI RCR training online.

• Graduate student travel: Need additional funding support for travel for conferences or research? Check out the RAP Travel Award at Texas A&M.

• Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional School resources:
  • The Graduate and Professional School Calendar.
  • The Graduate and Professional School’s Dates and Deadlines information page.
  • International student important dates.
  • Texas A&M University Academic Calendar.
  • List of contacts at the Graduate and Professional School.

• Graduate Resources and Development for Aggies, G.R.A.D. Aggies, offers professional development programming. For more information, visit the G.R.A.D. Aggies webpage.

Student Recruitment

• Prospective students can register for an information session and a tour of west campus at visit.tamu.edu.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council

• The Big Event is Saturday, Mar. 23, and all students throughout the College are welcome to join us!
• Student Leadership Celebration is Wednesday, Apr. 17.
• Follow us on social media!
  • Facebook: Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council
  • Instagram: @coals_tamu
  • Website: www.tamucoalscouncil.com

Save the date!

Professional Services Updates

• Online courses on communication, customer service, performance management, safety and technology are available from the Texas A&M University Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness.

AgriLife Employee Wellness

• Learn more about numerous ways to partake in the AgriLife Employee Wellness initiative on the intranet!
• There is still time to join the 27th Annual Walk Across Texas Challenge, an eight-week physical activity program that lasts through Apr. 5.

• Work/life solutions are available to Texas A&M AgriLife employees, including professional and personal training resources, through ComPsych GuidanceResources.
  • Website: http://www.guidanceresources.com.
  • WEBID: TAMUS.

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