Eight University of Georgia faculty members have completed the 2024-2025 Aspire Fellows program, a yearlong interdisciplinary cohort program that helps faculty build on their strengths and extend their professional impact.
Coordinated by the Office of Faculty Affairs, the Aspire Fellows program provides a series of workshops and individualized professional development plans that bolster skills such as project management, leadership and teambuilding. The program is designed for mid-career and senior faculty on any career track.
“The Aspire Fellows program is an opportunity for talented faculty to work toward an aspirational goal as they plan for the next phase of their career,” said Mary Carney, senior director of faculty and leadership development. “I congratulate this year’s cohort on the successful completion of the program, and I look forward to seeing their impact on our campus and higher education in the future.”
The 2024-2025 cohort of Aspire Fellows includes:
- Maria Bermudez, associate professor, department of human development and family science, College of Family and Consumer Sciences
- Zhuo (Adam) Chen, professor, College of Pharmacy, and coordinator, UGA Doctor of Pharmacy Program
- Nick Colvard, senior lecturer and assistant head of faculty, Office for Student Success and Achievement
- Lu Fan, associate professor of financial planning, College of Family and Consumer Sciences
- Roberto A. Palomares, professor, department of population health, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Juliet Sekandi, associate professor, College of Public Health, and director, Global Health Institute
- Susan Tanner, associate professor, department of anthropology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
- Xianqiao (XQ) Wang, professor of mechanical engineering, College of Engineering, and co-director, UGA Center for Brain-inspired Artificial Intelligence
Aspire Fellows was established in 2017, and 80 faculty members have completed the program.
The Office of Faculty Affairs is accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 Aspire Fellows cohort through May 16. Additional information about the program and an application link is available at https://provost.uga.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-leadership-development/cohort-programs/aspire-fellows/.
