This year, 21 outstanding, hard-working faculty members have been selected as the 2022 class of Connor Faculty Fellows at the 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.

"Congratulations to the newest class of Connor Fellows," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "These exceptional folks are among some of the best and brightest faculty in our college, who consistently strive to reach the highest levels of teaching, research and service."

"We're so proud of these fellows and greatly appreciate all they do to help our students succeed and to further innovation in each of their respective fields. We can't wait to see what each achieves next!" he added.

The Fulbright College 2022 Connor Faculty Fellows include:

• Linda Lopez, assistant professor, School of Art
• Alison Place, assistant professor, School of Art
• Kristian Michael Forbes, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• Adam Pare, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• Martin Edwards, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Mengfei Guan, assistant professor, Department of Communication
• Mary Long, assistant professor, Department of English
• Kevin Befus, assistant professor, Department of Geosciences
• Katia De Avila Fernandes, assistant professor, Department of Geosciences
• Sarah Rodriguez, assistant professor, Department of History
• Jee Young Chung, assistant professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media
• Joshua Padgett, assistant professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Bryan Reece, assistant professor, Department of Philosophy
• Hiroyuki Nakamura, assistant professor, Department of Physics
• Najja Baptist, assistant professor, Department of Political Science
• Darya Zabelina, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Science
• Lauren Questch, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Science
• LaShawnda Fields, assistant professor, School of Social Work
• Kayla Allison, assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology
• Fernando Isaac Riva Camino, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Daniela D'Eugenio, 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 that comes with this honor is used by fellows 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 more than 220 Connor Fellows and counting, 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 Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on the University of Arkansas campus, with three schools, 16 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college also provides the majority of the core curriculum for all U of A students.