IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 Conference announced its first-ever Big 12 Faculty of the Year Award, recognizing the outstanding faculty at Big 12 institutions who have excelled in areas of innovation and research on their campus. Encompassing all 16 Big 12 members, these dedicated faculty members represent and reflect all the best attributes that make a college campus a bastion for learning and growth.
“Academic success is at the core of the mission of the Big 12, and that success is only possible with the help of excellent educators dedicated to advancing education and innovation at our institutions,” said Big 12 Chief Impact Officer Jenn Hunter. “This year’s first-ever recipients highlight the diversity of educational opportunities across the conference.”
The Big 12 Faculty of the Year Award also highlights the incredible work, diversity of research breakthroughs and educational opportunities afforded to students attending Big 12 institutions and help attract future students.
The Faculty Members of the Year were nominated by their institutions in conjunction with Big 12 Faculty Athletics Reps, Provosts and other university leaders.
| Institution |
Faculty Member |
Discipline |
| Arizona |
Dr. James Powell |
Economics |
| Arizona State |
Dr. Amber Wutich |
Sociocultural Anthropology; Global Health; Environmental Social Science |
| Baylor |
Dr. Stephen Sloan |
History |
| BYU |
Dr. Charles Graham |
Instructional Psychology & Technology |
| UCF |
Dr. Shin-Tson Wu |
Optics and Electrical Engineering |
| Cincinnati |
Dr. Jack Davis |
Greek Archaeology |
| Colorado |
Dr. Rebecca Safran |
Evolutionary Biology |
| Houston |
Dr. Zhifeng Ren |
Condensed Matter Physics |
| Iowa State |
Dr. Dermot Hayes |
Agriculture Economics, Agribusiness |
| Kansas |
Dr. Donna Ginther |
Economics |
| Kansas State |
Dr. Traci Brimhall |
English & Creative Writing |
| Oklahoma State |
Dr. Brett Carver |
Plant and Soil Sciences |
| TCU |
Dr. Carol Howe |
Nursing |
| Texas Tech |
Dr. Danny Reible |
Chemical Engineering and Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering |
| Utah |
Dr. Kathleen Mooney |
Nursing |
| West Virginia |
Dr. Katherine Goodrich |
Plasma and Space Physics |