College Update – August 2024

by

Faculty promotions | Dean’s open office hours | Upcoming dates

Dean’s Team Updates

Congratulations!

  • New holders of endowed faculty positions:
    • Dr. Ashley Long – Caesar Kleberg Chair in Wildlife Ecology.
    • Dr. Sarah White-Springer – Link Endowed Chair in Equine Science.
    • Dr. Juan Dong – Sadie Hatfield Endowed Professorship.

Dean’s Open Office Hours

  • Dean’s Open Office Hours will restart in September. Please contact Jill Lee for scheduling or if you have any questions.

Upcoming Deadlines and Dates

  • Monday, Sept. 16: 8th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, 1 p.m., MSC Bethancourt Ballroom. See more in General Academic Affairs.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 17: The College deadline to apply for faculty development leave; more in Faculty Affairs.
  • Thursday-Friday, Sept. 19-20: AGLS Career Fair; more in Student Success and Development.
  • Thursday, Oct. 10: College Connect for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences employees. 3-4:30 p.m., The Shirley and Joe Swinbank ’74 AgriLife Center.
  • Thursday-Friday, Oct. 24-25, Three-Minute Thesis preliminary competition.
    • Tuesday, Nov. 12, Three-Minute Thesis final competition and reception.
  • Full fall semester schedule.

Faculty Affairs

  • From the Texas A&M Center for Teaching Excellence:
    • 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.
    • 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. 
  • Texas A&M encourages faculty to elevate the impact of their work by joining colleagues in publishing articles in The Conversation. The format is opinion pieces and requires the expert to have recent, peer-reviewed published research. Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications is happy to work with you to get you connected with the right editors at the right times. If you are interested, please reach out to AgriLife MarComm for an introductory and exploratory call where we can discuss ideas, opportunities and more! Email Laura Muntean if interested.
  • 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.
  • Dates for various Faculty Development events, including the fall Bites & Insights Series, were shared via email earlier this month. Faculty will be asked to provide an RSVP and their lunch order prior to each event. See the full schedule at the linked pdf.
  • The College deadline to apply for Faculty Development Leave, FDL, is Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m. Interested parties may contact Dr. Lee Fitzgerald or Dr. Lanying Zeng with questions about their applications. Details for an FDL workshop will be shared soon as well.

General Academic Affairs

  • Transition to Gradescope: The university is transitioning to using Gradescope instead of scantron forms. The anticipated end date for the university’s scantron scanning equipment is August 2025. We will provide scantrons to instructors who wish to use them this fall. Our College’s academic liaisons and instructional design consultants will provide training this fall to ease the transition to Gradescope.
  • The College has renewed the iClicker contract for the 2024-2025 academic year. iClicker is free for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and the College of Education and Human Development.
  • The Texas A&M University 8th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium will take place Monday, Sept. 16, in the Memorial Student Center Bethancourt Ballroom (room 2300) starting at 1 p.m. Register online until Sept. 9.
  • The On Ramp to Repayment program ends September 30, 2024. Through The Texas A&M University System and TIAA, you have access to a free student loan benefit, Savi, whose mission is to get you on track with your student loan payments, assess your eligibility for forgiveness and repayment programs, and make sure you’re prepared as the on-ramp ends.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Testing Center in Disability Resources: 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

  • The fall 2024 AGLS Career Fair will take place Thursday, Sept. 19, and Friday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bethancourt Ballroom at the Memorial Student Center. This event welcomes over 150 employers to recruit students from all 15 academic departments. We encourage you to inform your students about the career fair, as it is a fantastic opportunity for career exploration. Visit tx.ag/aglscareerfair for more information about the event. The AGLS Career Services Team provides events to help students prepare: 
    • Career Fair Prep: Resume Workshop. Students can learn more about the fundamentals of resume writing and tips on crafting their resume to suit a career fair.
      • Thursday, Aug. 29, 1-2 p.m., virtual, with employer partner Hylio.
      • Wednesday, Sept. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at AGLS 116.
    • Career Fair 101. The AGLS Career Fair is not only a place to find jobs and internships, but it is also a significant event to make professional connections. Career Fair 101 teaches students strategies for navigating the fair successfully.
      • Tuesday, Sept. 5, 5-6 p.m., virtual.
      • Tuesday, Sept. 17, noon-1 p.m., virtual, with employer partner Simplot.
  • Consider inviting the AGLS Career Services Team into your classroom or group meeting! Our team presents on a variety of topics like Career Center services, resume and cover letter writing, how to gain resume experience, interviewing skills, LinkedIn, networking, job and internship search strategies, salary negotiation and more. We can also consult with you to design a presentation specific to the needs of your class. If you are interested in having us visit your classroom, please submit a request at tx.ag/ccspeakerrequest. To ensure we can accommodate your needs, please submit your request at least two weeks prior to your desired speaking date. Keep in mind that each event should have a separate request.
  • A Pocket Pantry is available at Suite 109 in Kleberg. It is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays when the university is closed.
    • Ongoing support is 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.
    • Visitors interested in using this resource can scan the QR code posted on the entrance and check in with the reception desk. 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.

Resources for Graduate Students

  • The Graduate and Professional Student Government, GPSG, is looking for graduate student representatives from your departments to serve in various capacities. Please visit the GPSG website for more information.
  • From the Center for Teaching Excellence:
    • 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.
    • 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.
  • The University Writing Center hosts the Writing Cafe for graduate students on the first Friday of every month in the Evans Library Grad Lounge, Room 611.
  • Three-Minute Thesis Competition: The preliminary competition is Thursday and Friday, Oct. 24 and 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; the final competition and reception is Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m.
  • The 2024-2025 Texas Aggie Graduate Grant application is now available. Submit applications by the priority deadline of Sunday, Dec. 1, for spring.
  • 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

2024-2025 Student Council Officer Team
Student Council leadership on Thursday, May 02, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
  • 2024-2025 Student Council Officer Team
    • President – Brittley Bowers.
    • Vice President of Finance – Tanner Owen.
      • Co-Chair: Laney Ferrell.
    • Vice President of Leadership – Riki Nardiello.
      • Co-Chair: Zoe Meeks.
    • Vice President of Service – Greyson Castillo.
      • Co-Chair: Miranda Skaggs.
    • Vice President of Public Relations – Zoee Nolen.
      • Co-Chair: Sunny Cowley.
    • Vice President of Programs – Jace Owen.
      • Co-Chair: Kyla Beck.
    • Vice President of Mentorship – Austin Blagg.
      • Co-Chair: Zachary Hoelscher.

Save the date!

The Gardens Fall Festival
Saturday, Oct. 19
9-11:30 a.m.

The Gardens at Texas A&M University

  • Come celebrate the arrival of fall in The Gardens by enjoying refreshments and apple cider as you stroll through The Gardens to visit our various educational demonstrations and activity tables. Folks of all ages can make fall inspired crafts, learn about fall crops and vegetables, explore the journey that cotton takes from field to yarn, and much more. Come on out for gourd time in The Gardens!

Professional Services Updates

Accessing the Texas A&M AgriLife Intranet

Most of the links and buttons in this section lead to the Texas A&M AgriLife Intranet. If a link doesn’t work for you, try copying the link address and pasting it into an “incognito” or “private” window. Another option is clearing your browser cache. When the links work, you may see a login screen for your agnet.tamu.edu credentials.

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

  • Online 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

  • From onboarding to continued professional development, this new platform is focused on providing opportunities for you to learn and grow through access to a curated catalog of training resources. 
    • Check out the new training release: AGLS Onboarding. This course empowers employees with the tools, insights and connection needed to thrive in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Discover AGLS’s core values that drive success, navigate complex workflows with ease, and foster meaningful collaborations with colleagues across departments. 

For questions, contact Taylor Herbert at [email protected]. 

Visit the Educational Development and Engagement Intranet

AgriLife Administrative Services

Professional Development

Employee Wellness

Visit the Administrative Services Intranet

AgriLife Information Technology

Visit the AgriLife IT Intranet

AgriLife Marketing and Communications

Did you know there’s a great link for working with AgriLife MarComm?

Check out tx.ag/WorkWithMarComm to:

  • Add your event to the Texas A&M AgriLife Calendar.
  • Submit a branding question.
  • Locate brand resources.
  • Submit a photo or video idea.
  • Request a Marketing and Communications presentation on branding, media relations, social media or other topics.
  • Let us know about an outdated, irrelevant or abandoned website.
Visit the AgriLife MarComm Intranet

News: Our Mission in Action

  • Read the latest news of our faculty, staff and student accomplishments in research, teaching and service at AgriLife Today, the home for AgriLife news and feature stories.
Visit AgriLife Today

Survey

Help us make this newsletter as useful as possible. Share your feedback in a five-minute online survey.

Newsletter Archive

Review previous months’ newsletters.

Subscribe to this newsletter.