This year, 19 outstanding, hard-working faculty members have been selected as the 2020 class of Connor Faculty Fellows at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Their expertise spans the natural sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences and the funds from the Connor fellowship are intended to help each rising academic further their career development.

"In this unusual year, we could not be prouder to honor such a phenomenal group of faculty members who are already making great waves with their scholarly activity and accomplishments," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "I know they'll continue to do amazing things and that each have even greater achievements ahead of them!"

The Fulbright College 2020 Connor Faculty Fellows include:

• Amelia Villasenor, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology
• Sarah DuRant, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• Shilpa Iyer, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• Chenguang Fan, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Yaguang Zhu, assistant professor, Department of Communication
• Lora Walsh, assistant professor, Department of English
• Jill Marshall, assistant professor, Department of Geosciences
• Glenn Sharman, assistant professor, Department of Geosciences
• Kelly Hammond, assistant professor, Department of History
• Colleen Thurston, assistant professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media
• Ariel Barton, assistant professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Micaela Baranello, assistant professor, Department of Music
• Warren Herold, assistant professor, Department of Philosophy
• Yong Wang, assistant professor, Department of Physics
• Shirin Saeidi, assistant professor, Department of Political Science
• Darya Zabelina, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Science
• Mark Plassmeyer, assistant professor, School of Social Work
• Benjamin Smith, assistant professor, Department of Theatre
• Rhodora Vennarucci, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Robert and Sandra Connor of Dallas, Texas established the Connor Endowed Faculty Fellowship in 2004 to provide essential faculty development opportunities to rising academic experts in the college. Annually, a college committee including the dean recognizes faculty who have made excellent contributions to the college and their departments. The $5,000 award is used to facilitate travel, expand research initiatives and support classroom activities.

The Connors' original gift of $1.5 million formerly allowed the college to designate up to 10 fellows each year. An additional gift has now allowed the college to expand the number of fellowships. Since its inception, the endowment has enabled Fulbright College to recognize 189 total Connor Fellows, many of whom are now leaders in their departments, serving in administrative capacities or in prominent teaching and research positions with impressive publication records.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with three schools, 16 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J. William Fulbright, former university president and longtime U.S. senator.