02/01/08
New faculty faces in the fall will be the result of the candidate searches going on right now.
The department of language and literature is seeking a new full-time Spanish professor, and the computer science department is looking for two new faculty members: one specializing in computer science and the other in computer information systems.
Jean Johnson, mathematics, physics and computer science department chair, said that while two tenure-track positions are open, only one would be hired before fall.
“It looks like our prospects are better for computer science,” Johnson said.
Courses in the computer science department are being taught by adjuncts after former Associate Professor of Computer Science Denis Popel and Assistant Professor of Computer Science Tom Conoley both resigned to take industry jobs.
After beginning advertisement for the two positions in the fall, Johnson said more interest has been shown in the computer science position, culminating in bringing in the first candidate for a campus interview. Alice Armstrong was the first potential new faculty member interviewed by students and faculty, with another candidate being scheduled for a visit Monday.
Johnson said other candidates were interviewed by phone, with one important point being the candidates’ goals in light of recent department resignations.
“We need stable, long-term faculty,” Johnson said. “We ask them point blank and hope this is really what they want.”
The language and literature department has had less turnover in recent years, but with Assistant Professor of Spanish Pablo La Rosa transitioning from half-time to full-time retirement, a new full-time professor is needed.
The first campus interview was held Tuesday for Nuria Ibáñez, and another candidate is planned for next Friday.
Ashley Schmidt, a senior Spanish major, is on the search committee for the new Spanish professor, and she said one of the things she is looking for is the ability to connect with students.
Schmidt ate lunch with Ibáñez, attended her presentation Tuesday, and said she appreciated the enthusiasm Ibáñez brought.
“I was really impressed by all of her research, and she brought some interesting new perspectives,” Schmidt said.
Cynthia Appl, language and literature department chair, said around 14 other candidates had been interviewed at the Modern Language Association convention in December. Before the convention, an advertisement was listed for a full-time Spanish professor, and during the convention Appl and Associate Professor of Spanish Sandra Schumm interviewed prospective professors.
Appl said that in normal years, eight Spanish courses are offered, but with La Rosa no longer teaching full time, only seven courses were taught.
While the search committee will meet after the second candidate is brought to campus, Appl said the choice might not be easily solidified.
“They’re selling them on us, but we’re also trying to sell us on them,” she said.
At her presentation, Ibáñez analyzed theater works by authors from Latin America and Spain. Appl said the department was looking for a professor who brought a Latin American emphasis.