Eight faculty members from the University of Georgia have successfully concluded the 2024-2025 Aspire Fellows initiative, a yearlong multidisciplinary program aimed at enhancing faculty strengths and expanding their professional influence.

Managed by the Office of Faculty Affairs, the Aspire Fellows initiative offers a range of workshops and tailored professional development plans that enhance abilities including project management, leadership, and team collaboration. This program is intended for mid-career and senior faculty across various career paths.

“The Aspire Fellows initiative provides a chance for skilled faculty to pursue a lofty objective as they prepare for their career’s next chapter,” stated Mary Carney, senior director of faculty and leadership development. “I commend this year’s cohort on their successful completion of the program, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing their impact on our campus and the landscape of higher education moving forward.”

The cohort for Aspire Fellows 2024-2025 comprises:

• Maria Bermudez, associate professor, department of human development and family science, College of Family and Consumer Sciences
• Zhuo (Adam) Chen, professor, College of Pharmacy, and coordinator, UGA Doctor of Pharmacy Program
• Nick Colvard, senior lecturer and assistant head of faculty, Office for Student Success and Achievement
• Lu Fan, associate professor of financial planning, College of Family and Consumer Sciences
• Roberto A. Palomares, professor, department of population health, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Juliet Sekandi, associate professor, College of Public Health, and director, Global Health Institute
• Susan Tanner, associate professor, department of anthropology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
• Xianqiao (XQ) Wang, professor of mechanical engineering, College of Engineering, and co-director, UGA Center for Brain-inspired Artificial Intelligence

Established in 2017, Aspire Fellows has seen 80 faculty members complete the program.

The Office of Faculty Affairs is currently accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 Aspire Fellows cohort until May 16. Further details about the program and a link for applications can be found at https://provost.uga.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-leadership-development/cohort-programs/aspire-fellows/.

The article Aspire Fellows program prepares faculty for next phase of their career first appeared on UGA Today.