Fulbright College Announces 2023 Connor Faculty Fellows

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Sandra and Robert Connor

This year, 20 determined faculty members have been selected as the 2023 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 professional pursuits.

"I want to congratulate this year's Connor fellows for their remarkable achievements," said Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College. "This esteemed award not only recognizes their passion for education, but showcases their potential to shape the future of their fields." 

"I can't wait to see what the future holds for these outstanding individuals!" she added. "We are so proud of their commitment to their students and to the mission of 'Fostering Peace Through Education' that Fulbright College strives to uphold." 

The Fulbright College 2023 Connor Faculty Fellows include:

• Molly Carney, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology
• Jean Schmitt, assistant professor, School of Art
• Ryan Slone, assistant professor, School of Art
• Xuan Zhuang, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• Bin Dong, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemisty
• Martin Edwards, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Rebecca Leach, assistant professor, Department of Communication
• Abraham Khan, assistant professor, Department of Communication
• Adam Pope, assistant professor, Department of English
• Megan McIntyre, assistant professor, Department of English
• Bradley Peter, assistant professor, Department of Geosciences
• Sisi Hu, assistant professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media
• John Bergdall, assistant professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Jacob Hertzog, assistant professor, Department of Music
• Christa Bentley, assistant professor, Department of Music
• Ivan Vargas, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Science
• Marion "Denny" Bennett, assistant professor, School of Social Work
• Alexia Angton, assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology
• Meredith Zhe Zhang, assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology
• Manuel Gobante, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
• Annie Doucet, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Robert and Sandra Connor established the Connor Endowed Faculty Fellowship in 2004 to provide essential faculty development opportunities to rising academic experts in the college. These faculty members are selected annually by a college committee including the dean for their contributions to the college and their departments.

This honor comes with a $6,000 award, used by fellows to facilitate travel, expand research initiatives and support classroom activities. These initiatives would not have been possible without the gracious support of the Connors. 

Since its inception, the resulting endowment has enabled Fulbright College to recognize more than 240 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.

Story by Payton Willhite, Communication and Creative Services Intern