September 23, 2021

SEC Emerging Scholars Workshop to Include Three Featured Speakers

Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton, Auburn (left); Dr. Stephanie Shonekan, Missouri (center); Dr. Ben Wu, Texas A&M (right)

By: SEC Staff
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

Birmingham, Ala. (September 23, 2021) – The first SEC Emerging Scholars Career Preparation Workshop will include three featured speakers from different SEC universities, two panel discussions and a number of breakout sessions, the SEC announced on Thursday.

Hosted by Louisiana State University in a virtual format, the workshop is scheduled for September 29-30, and was established by the SEC Provosts to provide professional development and networking opportunities for current SEC doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers who are considering careers in higher education.

“This workshop was designed to encourage our nearly 140 SEC Emerging Scholars to seek out employment and mentorship within the SEC through a series of presentations and interactive activities,” said Dr. Torie A. Johnson, SEC Associate Commissioner for Academic Relations. “The program agenda is robust, and we are looking forward to engaging with our future faculty members on several important matters very soon.”

The SEC workshop program features three keynote-style presentations. Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton, Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity and Associate Provost at Auburn University, will speak about “Dealing with Bias.” Dr. Stephanie Shonekan, Senior Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri, will discuss “Presenting Yourself Through Written Materials.” The final presentation, “Preparing a Compelling Teaching Portfolio,” will be delivered by Dr. Ben Wu, Associate Dean in the College of  Agriculture and Life Science at Texas A&M University.

In addition, the emerging scholars will participate in two panel discussions. First, they will be advised by associate professors on what they might experience as new faculty members, and later they will receive tips from department chairs on applying and interviewing for a faculty position. The two groups are made up of four panelists and one moderator, each from a different SEC member university, and representing a variety of disciplines.

Scholars who participate in the career preparation workshop are expected to attend the entire two-day event, complete several pre-workshop assignments, and join the breakout rooms that will follow each session. Finally, they will have the opportunity to visit with representatives from all 14 SEC universities on a range of topics, including the hiring process.

Following is the complete list of presenters, panelists and moderators.

Featured Presenters

Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton, Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity and Associate Provost, Auburn University – “Dealing with Bias”

Dr. Stephanie Shonekan, Senior Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Missouri – “Presenting Yourself Through Written Materials”

Dr. Ben Wu, Associate Dean in the College of  Agriculture and Life Science at Texas A&M University – “Preparing a Compelling Teaching Portfolio”

What to Expect as a New Faculty Member Panel

Dr. Douda Bensasson, Associate Professor, Bioinformatics and Plant Biology, University of Georgia

Dr. Randy Bradley, Associate Professor, Information Systems and Supply Chain, University of Tennessee

Dr. Phillis George, Associate Professor, Higher Education, University of Mississippi

Dr. Michelle Murray, Associate Professor, Spanish, Vanderbilt University

Moderator: Dr. Lovoria Williams, University of Kentucky

Tips on Applying and Interviewing Panel

Dr. Angela Benson, Educational Leadership, Policy and Technology Studies, University of Alabama

Dr. Daniela Friedman, Health Promotion, Education and Behavior, University of South Carolina

Dr. Dan Punday, English, Mississippi State University

Dr. Raj Rao, Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas

Moderator: Dr. Carlos Rinaldi, University of Florida