College Update – April 2024

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Aggie Way and Core Values | Undergraduate Programs | Congratulations!

College Update

Dean’s Team Updates

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our 2023 AAAS fellows!

Each year, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, elects Fellows whose “efforts on behalf of the advancement of science, or its applications, are scientifically or socially distinguished.” The recognition is a lifetime honor and among the most prestigious accolades in science. This year’s Fellows include:

  • Dr. Zach Adelman, professor in the Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research fellow and endowed chair of agricultural biotechnology.
  • Dr. Bruce McCarl, professor and leader of research in the Department of Agricultural Economics, and University Distinguished Professor.
  • Dr. Seth Murray, professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

Congratulations to our advisors!

AGLS academic advisors garnered Texas A&M awards this year individually and as a team:

  • Dr. Jennifer Rhinesmith–Carranza, director for academic advising, was honored with the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Individual Student Engagement.
  • Carissa Beamon, senior academic advisor, was honored with the President’s Award for Academic Advising and the University Advisors and Counselors Excellence in Graduate Advising Award.
  • Callan Gearner, academic advisor, was honored with the University Advisors and Counselors New Advisor Award.
  • Kelsey Hirsch, academic advisor III, was honored with the University Advisors and Counselors Innovative Advising Award.
  • The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Advising Hub won the University Advisors and Counselors Outstanding Advising Team Award. 

Dean’s Open Office Hours

  • Dr. Jeffrey Savell and Dr. Patricia Klein are hosting office hours in April. Sign up by noon Wednesday, April 24. Please contact Jill Lee if you have any questions regarding the Open Office Hours.

Upcoming Deadlines and Dates

Faculty Affairs

  • AGLS Undergraduate Student Research Program
    • A new program aims to support up to 30 undergraduate research scholars in its first year, with a $1,000 scholarship per student and up to $500 for the participating faculty mentor to cover expenses. Research proposals are due by April 30. Learn more about the program and the application details on the program’s website.
  • AGLS International Programs and Education Abroad
    • The AGLS International Programs handbook to guide faculty and staff with the preparation of faculty-led international proposals is now available on request.
    • Due Wednesday, May 1, 2024: summer proposals for AGLS faculty-led international programs (including those for travel in May 2025 and August 2025). Learn more on the Texas A&M page on proposing a faculty-led program.
    • For questions, please email Daniel Putnam, international program coordinator at AGLS.
  • From the Texas A&M Center for Teaching Excellence:
    • The Center for Teaching Excellence proudly offers resources to empower faculty instruction and to create a more enriching classroom learning environment. Explore diverse topics, including peer feedback and collaboration engagement during lectures and ethical behavior in mentoring. 
    • Center for Teaching Excellence has a 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 University Faculty Affairs provides ongoing professional development opportunities for faculty at every career stage. Faculty are encouraged to regularly seek new ways to enhance and advance their careers at Texas A&M.

General Academic Affairs

  • 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. Find the schedule here. 
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Mental health support for all students:
    • University Health Services offers mental health support options for Texas A&M University students 24 hours a day. 
    • During normal business hours, individual counseling, group counseling, and a variety of health and wellness workshops provide growth opportunities through both in-person and virtual formats.
    • After hours, HelpLine volunteers stand ready to provide peer support, information, crisis intervention and referrals to students, as well as those concerned about students, from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends when classes are in session. 
    • Around the clock and regardless of location, the TELUS Health Student Support app provides 24/7 access to professional counseling in multiple languages via app, telephone and web, in addition to mental health assessments, a mental health content library and access to virtual fitness sessions — all free and confidential. Also, University Health Services maintains a robust library of mental health-focused self-help content to help students navigating challenges related to anxiety, depression, relationships and more.
    • The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has an embedded licensed professional counselor. Ms. Molly McCann dedicates her time to the wellness of students in AGLS, with an office located at BCBP 103C. Contact her at [email protected] or 979.845.5032.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.

Resources for Graduate Students

  • From the Center for Teaching Excellence:
    • 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.
    • 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 in the CTE-ELP program. Click for more information.
  • 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.

Student Recruitment

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council

Save the date!

hand holding a bite-sized piece of brisket

Troubadour Festival
Saturday, May 18

10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Aggie Park at Texas A&M University

  • The barbecue and music festival returns to Texas A&M’s Aggie Park this May, featuring headliner Travis Tritt and 20 of Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ nationally recognized meat science program will also make an appearance at this year’s festival. Visitors can stop by the Texas A&M “Brisketeers’” tent to learn more about the science behind Texas barbecue.

Professional Services Updates

AgriLife Educational Development and Engagement

  • AgriLife Learn
    • Educational resources with the primary goal of translating research into practical, meaningful and engaging online learning experiences.  
    • Have an educational product to develop and host on AgriLife Learn? 
    • Submit the EDE Product/Service request form to get started! 
  • AgriLife Register
    • Event registration platform for Texas A&M AgriLife workshops, trainings, conferences and other in-person, hybrid or virtual events being hosted by experts across the state. 
    • Need AgriLife Register online event registration services?  
    • Submit the EDE Product/Service request form to set up your event registration listing! 
  • AgriLife Aspire
    • Check out the library of courses to develop specific Texas A&M AgriLife competencies: Service-Minded, Teamwork, Quality of Work, Quantity of Work, Adaptability and Supervision.

For questions, email Taylor Herbert.

Visit the Educational Development and Engagement Intranet

AgriLife Employee Wellness

Visit the Administrative Services Intranet

AgriLife Marketing and Communications

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  • A revamped templates hub and a Canva brand kit are now available.
    • Brochures
    • Certificates
    • Presentations
    • Save-the-dates
    • Retractable banners
    • Program briefs and more!
  • Make sure to keep checking the templates hub: We add new designs monthly! 
Visit the MarComm Intranet

Our Mission in Action

  • Visit AgriLife Today to read about faculty, staff and student accomplishments in research, teaching and service! Check out the latest news across Texas A&M AgriLife.
Read College News on AgriLife Today

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