Investing in faculty to fuel academic excellence

During her Oct. 10 State of the University address, Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez announced plans to recruit and hire up to 15 new tenure track faculty to support goals and strategies outlined in the University’s Dynamic Strategy, a three-year plan to elevate OHIO’s excellence in teaching, research and engagement.

Executive Vice President and Provost Don Leo and Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Eric Muth collaborated on the plan to invest in faculty talent to support strategies outlined in the Learn and Discover pillars of the University’s plan. Deans of each of OHIO’s nine academic colleges and the University’s Heritage College of Medicine have been invited to submit proposals for new faculty positions that will advance the University’s academic and research strength.

“We recognize that the faculty are the heartbeat of the University,” Leo said. “They drive curricular innovation, elevate our research capabilities and ultimately inspire student success and community impact.”

The Discover pillar specifically calls for OHIO to invest in tenure-track hires to strengthen intellectual capital, and Leo said recruitment needs to begin urgently in order to impact outcomes over the course of the University’s three-year plan.

Decisions on specific hiring proposals will be made prior to the end of the fall semester and recruitment will begin in Spring. The hiring plan represents a recurring investment of approximately $1.5 million. One-time startup funds will also be provided to new research faculty.