Angelo State Promotes 11 Faculty Members to New Ranks

SAN ANGELO, TX - Eleven Angelo State University faculty members have had their promotions approved, effective Sept. 1, with their new ranks finalized by the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents during its recent regular meeting in Dallas.

Eight faculty members were promoted from associate professor to professor:

• Dr. Joseph "Rusty" Calk - Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance
• Dr. Leah Carruth - Department of Teacher Education
• Dr. James "Will" Dickison - Department of Agriculture
• Dr. Carlos Flores - Department of Teacher Education
• Dr. Mellisa Huffman - Natalie Zan Ryan Department of English and Modern Languages
• Dr. Twyla Tasker - Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Dr. Sonja Varbelow - Department of Teacher Education
• Dr. Kyle van Ittersum - Department of Psychology

Three faculty members were promoted from assistant professor to associate professor and granted tenure:

• Dr. W. Layne Dittmann - Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice
• Dr. Enrique Escalante - Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance
• Dr. Michael Powers - Dr. Arnoldo De Leon Department of History

"These professors have all proven their commitment to delivering quality academic programs in Angelo State's values-focused and student-centered teaching and learning environment," said Dr. Don Topliff, ASU provost and vice president for academic affairs. "They are outstanding in all the main areas of faculty performance: teaching, research and service. They represent the best in their profession, and we are fortunate and proud to have these stellar faculty to mold current and future generations of the Ram Family."

Promotion from associate professor to professor requires at least four years in rank and a record of continued distinguished teaching, research and service. Credentials of the candidates are reviewed by committees from their respective academic departments and colleges, as well as their department chair and dean, the provost and the president.

Promotion to associate professor and granting of tenure occur after a six-year probationary period and a record of distinguished teaching, research and service. The review process is identical to the process for promotion from associate professor to professor.

Additionally, all ASU faculty members are evaluated annually by a committee from their academic department, their department chair, the dean of their college, the provost and the president.