After rigorous evaluation, eight members of the Worcester State University faculty were granted tenure recently by the Worcester State University Board of Trustees. Additionally, seven faculty members were promoted to full professor, nine were elevated to associate professor, and two were named associate librarians.
Each tenure-track faculty member is evaluated every year. The process includes classroom observation, peer evaluation, chair evaluation, dean evaluation and recommendation, provost recommendation, and president recommendation and approval.
At each of a faculty member’s first five years, a recommendation is made regarding reappointment to the next year. During the sixth year, candidates must come up for tenure. Each candidate produces an extensive portfolio of accomplishments in scholarship or creative activity, professional service, alternative assignments, classroom observation, departmental peer evaluation, university-wide tenure committee vote, and dean evaluation and recommendation. Tenure is a commitment for continuous employment by the institution.
“We are truly fortunate to have outstanding faculty at Worcester State,” President Barry M. Maloney says. “These promotions recognize exceptional dedication to teaching as well as excellence in research and academic rigor, which are hallmarks of this university.”
Faculty members gaining tenure were Paula Bylaska-Davies, Nursing; Aimee Delaney, Criminal Justice; Kimberly Silver Dunker, Nursing; Martin Fromm, History/Political Science; Daniel Hunt, Communication; Susan Mitroka, Chemistry; Miriam Plavin-Masterman, Business/Economics; and Francisco Vivoni, Sociology.
Those promoted to full professor were: Meghna Dilip, Chemistry; Denise Foley, Education; Aldo Garcia-Guevara, History/Political Science; Michael Gesin, History/Political Science; Eihab Jaber, Chemistry; John Tahiliani, Criminal Justice; and Sara Young, Education.
Faculty members promoted to associate professor were Delaney, Fromm, Hunt, Mitroka, Plavin-Masterman, and Vivoni, as well as Roger Greenwell, Biology; Benjamin Jee, Psychology; and Syamak Moattari, Health Sciences.
Faculty members promoted to associate librarian were Vicki Gruzynski and Shu Qian.