Maverick Science mag 2013-14

COLLEGE NEWS | OFFICE OF THE DEAN
Cordero takes leadership role in academic affairs
For Minerva Cordero, taking charge of the College of
Science’s academic affairs as associate dean has been a
seamless transition.
Cordero, a professor of mathematics, has extensive
experience in academic and student affairs, and the
chance to help direct the college’s academic strategy appealed
to her. She has been associate dean for academic
affairs since Spring 2013.
“I was intrigued by the idea of serving in a role to facilitate
matters pertaining to undergraduate science and
mathematics education across the college and offer leadership
in bringing together efforts focused on enhancing
the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in
the college in a manner that capitalizes on the great work
that is already taking place,” she said. “I love working
with students and wanted to do my part to help increase
their chances of success in the College of Science.”
Cordero is responsible for the development and evaluation
of undergraduate programs. Her goal, she said, is
to ensure that the fundamental commitment to learning
outcomes relies on best practices throughout all departments
and units of the College of Science.
“I’m looking into strategic initiatives to enhance
teaching and collaborate with colleagues on establishing
metrics for evaluating undergraduate programs and student
success,” she said. “I’m also providing assistance
with faculty mentoring in the area of teaching.”
Purgason giving major boost
to undergraduate research
Ashley Purgason started her job as the
College’s assistant dean for undergraduate research
and student advancement in August
and has wasted no time making things happen.
She held workshops to show students how
they can become involved in research during
the College’s annual
Science Week in November.
She has plans
for a website with dedicated
resources for
students and faculty,
as well as a journal, to
be called Breakaway,
for undergraduate researchers
to publish
their findings through
Purgason
Dean of Science Pamela Jansma said Cordero’s leadership
enables the college to put an increased emphasis
on improving its academic structure and improving students’
opportunities to succeed.
“Dr. Cordero has served as associate dean of the Honors
College here at UT Arlington and has worked in a variety
of other roles with students, and these experiences
make her an ideal fit for this role,”
Jansma said.
Cordero has long been involved
in helping students. She
came to UT Arlington in 2001 and
immediately began working to
create an organization for undergraduate
math students, because
she recognized the importance of
Cordero
a peer review and faculty review process.
“Our biggest priority as we move forward
is finding ways to increase undergraduate research
participation as part of the curriculum
and not solely relying on the traditional apprentice
model,” she said. “I look forward to
working closely with faculty in the future on
this front, bringing ideas and proven initiatives
to them to explore.”
It’s no surprise that Purgason is so fired
up about involving students in research. A UT
Arlington alumna, she earned a B.S. in Biology
with Honors in 2006 and an M.S. in Biology
in 2007. She was also a member of the
Lady Mavericks basketball team, where she
was named an Academic All-American in
2004.
In May, she completed work on her Ph.D.
in Environmental Toxicology from UT Medical
Branch at Galveston. She also spent a
year immersing herself in issues important to
students as a student member of the UT System
Board of Regents, traveling across the
state to listen to students’ concerns.
“Another goal I am working very hard on
is finding dedicated funding for undergraduate
researchers to travel to conferences and
present their findings,” she said. “These experiences
are invaluable for their professional
development and to have conversations with
other scientists to learn all the directions their
work can go.”
Purgason is perfectly suited to her new
role, Dean of Science Pamela Jansma says.
“Ashley has already done so much to promote
and advance undergraduate research in
the College,” Jansma said. “Her enthusiasm
is infectious and she’s really excited by the
chance to work with students and help provide
them with every possible tool to succeed.”
As a doctoral student, Purgason conducted
research at both UTMB and the NASA
Johnson Space Center in Houston. She wants
to give younger students the chance to get in
the lab and gain experience which will put
them ahead of the game by the time they
reach graduate school.
“As a scientist, I want to learn for life, and
UT Arlington is a place that I will always be
able to do that,” Purgason said. “The unique
capabilities here, such as the Shimadzu partnership,
are thrilling. I am so pleased and
honored to be in this role. We are laying a
great foundation for undergraduate research
in the College of Science.”
helping students feel connected to
the faculty, department, and each
other. That organization, the UTA Student Chapter of the
Mathematical Association of America (MAA), is now a
central force in the math undergraduate community.
While she was serving as its faculty advisor, it was named
Outstanding UTA Student Organization. The following
year, Cordero received the 2004-05 Outstanding Student
Organization Advisor award. She also collaborated
with students to found a UTA chapter of the Society for
the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native
Americans in Science (SACNAS).
For several years, Cordero has co-directed a research
program for undergraduates, which allows students historically
underrepresented in mathematical sciences to
conduct math research. As associate dean of the Honors
College from 2005-08, she served as the college’s representative
on the Quality Enhancement Plan committee,
which developed a plan to enhance teaching and learning,
especially as it relates to higher-order thinking.
Another area where Cordero wants to make a difference
is in strengthening STEM (science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics) education. Nationwide,
there is a shortage of undergraduates obtaining degrees
in STEM fields, and according to predictions, in 10 years
the deficit could be as large as one million graduates.
“While there are various reasons for this shortage,
one of the most significant causes is attrition during the
first two years of college,” Cordero said. “One of the two
foci for my first few years is to evaluate our undergraduate
programs to ensure that the curriculum is designed
to meet our students’ needs and that the teaching of the
introductory courses is most effective. My other focus will
be to help provide our undergraduates with research experiences.
While some of them are engaged in research,
I would like to see the number double or triple and have
every science major participate in original research for
at least two semesters by the time they graduate.”
Jansma named ACE Fellow
for 2013-14 academic year
Pamela Jansma, dean of the College of Science, and Victoria Farrar-
Myers, a UT Arlington professor of political science, were named American
Council on Education Fellows for the 2013-14 academic year.
Former UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo nominated both
educators for the prestigious program, which selected a total of 50 college
and university senior faculty and administrators
after a rigorous application process.
Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program
is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership
in American higher education by identifying
and preparing promising senior faculty and administrators
for senior positions in college and
university administration.
Dean Jansma joined the College of Science in
Jansma
2009, having previously served as the dean of New
Mexico State University’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Jansma, a professor of earth and environmental sciences, is an
expert in microplate tectonics, earthquakes and faults.
During her tenure at UT Arlington, enrollment of the College of Science
has increased 24 percent and the College has launched the Shimadzu
Institute for Research Technologies. The College also is home to
several grant-funded programs aimed at increasing participation in
STEM fields by traditionally underrepresented groups.
“I am deeply honored and thankful for the selection as an ACE Fellow,”
Jansma said. “Students, faculty and the community-at-large should
be proud that UT Arlington has gained a national reputation that allows
its representatives to be welcomed into such an elite group.”
Ronald Elsenbaumer, provost and vice president for academic affairs,
said both Jansma and Farrar-Myers are representative of the best UT
Arlington faculty.
“Dean Jansma and Dr. Farrar-Myers are distinguished by their commitment
to teaching and research excellence, and they each have had a
significant impact on the colleges they represent,” Elsenbaumer said.
“Both of these UT Arlington leaders have unlimited potential in their careers,
and we are fortunate to count them as our colleagues.”
Maverick Science 2013-14
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