Collegian T he Cameron University
Changes at Cameron www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, September 5, 2023
Volume 109 Issue 1
New semester, new faculty
Photo by Brittney Payette
Brittney Payette Managing Editor
Cameron’s fall 2023 semester started with a multitude of changes, particularly with faculty in several departments across campus. What does this mean for the students? One of the departments that has experienced some significant changes recently is the Psychology department. After the previous department chair, Dr. Shaun Calix, left, Dr. Mary Dzindolet took over this year as interim chair. She previously served as the department chair for Psychology for around ten years before Calix expressed an interest in being chair, and Dzindolet decided to step down. “He was so mature and responsible,” she said. “He was an awesome leader.” Dr. Joanni Sailor retired, Dr. Shaun Calix, and Drs. Stephanie and William Stern moved. Dr. Stephanie White, Dr. Joe Williams, and Dr. Paul James were the new hires for the Psychology department. Dzindolet said that although she is sad to see the four professors leave, she is really excited to work with the new professors Cameron hired. “There’s always something lost, and something gained,” Dzindolet said. “We really miss the people that are gone. “I guess the other thing I would want students to know is that they’re still going to be well cared for,” she said. “The advising has changed.” Dzindolet said that during the hiring process, the department asked interviewees to come in and do what she called a “job talk,” wherein the department asked prospective hires to teach a short class. Dr. Joe Williams is a Cameron alumni who
received both his undergraduate and graduate retiring or leaving. degrees from Cameron. He was hired as a full“When someone resigns or retires, the time Assistant Professor this semester. He said he department chair will put in a personal request loves that his job allows him to help develop the if they think they need to fill the vacancy,” she next generation of counselors. said. “Then, I review the numbers. We look at “We have a shortage of clinicians right now,” the credit hour production in the department, the Williams said. “There is a growing need for enrollment, we look at the percentage of courses mental health.” that are being taught by adjuncts, so we look at all Williams one of his favorite things about of those things.” Cameron is its culture. She said Vice President for Academic Affairs “There is a closeness that exists upon the Dr. Ronna Vanderslice makes a recommendation Cameron University campus that you don’t often to the president, and he approves or disapproves find at larger universities,” he said. “On the flip it. If McArthur authorizes the department to start side of that, the quality and the looking to fill the positio, Dennis rigor of our courses are second contacts human resources, and to none. We have superior they advertise the job position “The quality and professors, and we have online. “The department chairs rigor of our courses amazing students here.” actually manage the faculty are second to none. Williams said his foremost searches,” Dennis said. “They concern as a professor is to typically have a screening We have superior provide a quality education in committee of faculty members professors, and we order to help develop competent who look at all the applicants, and have amazing and efficient mental health then they do Zoom interviews as providers. a first round.” students” “I enjoy interactions with The next step is in-person - Dr. Joe Williams students,” Williams said. interviews. The interviewee is Assistant Professor “When you see those aha brought in and meets faculty moments, those are amazing… members within the department. You see that development, They also teach a mock lesson you see them grow into no longer just learners to students, which allows students to be involved but they are experts in their field- that feeling… in the hiring process and give feedback for it makes you speechless. There are no words to potential new professors. Then, the prospective describe it. faculty member meets with the department chair, Dean of the School of Graduate and Dean Dennis, and Vice President Vanderslice. Professional Studies and the acting dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Dr. Jennifer Dennis said that the hiring process at Cameron begins See CHANGES with a vacancy opening up because of a professor
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What’s Inside B positive & donate blood
Celebrities & Parasocial Relationships
Writing for the prose
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