Mississippi University for Women has named Amber Handy, Ph.D., as associate vice president for faculty enrichment and research.
“As the founding director of the Kossen Center for Teaching and Learning, Dr. Handy has long been an innovator in leading initiatives that enhance the instructional experience,” said Scott Tollison, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “With the addition of the Office of Sponsored Projects as well as other special programming, she will now be at the head of an expanded endeavor that takes a holistic approach toward faculty enrichment — one that assesses the needs of faculty and supports them not only in the classroom, but also as they explore opportunities for professional, scholarly and personal growth.”
Handy will lead the university community in teaching, research and scholarship while fostering a campus-wide culture of lifelong learning and professional development. She will oversee faculty orientation, the promotion and tenure process, assist with traditional research and the research of scholarship of teaching and learning. As the associate vice president for faculty enrichment and research, Handy will report directly to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.
“I am delighted to take on this new role and to expand my opportunities to collaborate across campus to support and celebrate the creativity and accomplishments of our faculty. I am excited to be able to provide a more holistic model of faculty development, including research and scholarship support along with teaching and learning,” said Handy.
“I am grateful to Dr. Tollison for providing me with the opportunity to take this next step and look forward to working with our faculty and staff to ensure that The W continues to offer an excellent and inclusive learning environment for our students.”
About Handy
Handy was the founding director of the Connie and Tom Kossen Center for Teaching and Learning established in August 2015. The center, a result of The W’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), has a mission to ensure that the university’s campus is up-to-date on the latest research in educational practice and seeks the newest approaches in higher education. Handy will continue to serve as director of the Kossen Center for Teaching and Learning.
Handy is an associate and tenured professor at The W and served as an instructor of record at the University of Notre Dame from 2009 to 2011. From 2016-2017, she was a member of the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy. In 2015, Handy was named Humanities Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Humanities Council. She was co-awarded the 2015 Award of Excellence for Use of Historical Records in Higher Education from the Mississippi Historical Records Board of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. In 2011, Handy received the Distinguished Graduate Student Award for Excellence, Service, Leadership, and Academics and the Outstanding Graduate Teacher Award while at the University of Notre Dame.
At The W, Handy has been a member of the Deans Council, Administrative Council and the Campus Technology Advisory Team, among others. She has chaired the QEP Committee, Distance Learning Committee and Women’s Studies Teaching Circle.
Handy is a member of the Excel by 5 Columbus-Lowndes Candidate Community Committee and was president of the American Association of University Women Columbus, Mississippi Branch from 2014-2016.
She holds a doctorate of philosophy and master of arts from the University of Notre Dame. She earned a master of philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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