Provost Liebowitz shared this message with the University community on August 22, welcoming Dr. Sara Rzeszutek to Quinnipiac as the new Director for Faculty Advancement in Teaching Excellence!
Provost Liebowitz’s message:
Dear Quinnipiac Community, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Sara Rzeszutek has been appointed as the new Director for Faculty Advancement in Teaching Excellence at Quinnipiac University, effective September 3rd. Previously known as the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, this role is now part of the Quinnipiac Innovations in Learning and Teaching (QILT) team, which is led by Adam Nemeroff, Assistant Provost for Innovations in Learning, Teaching, and Technology. Sara will also have a courtesy appointment as Professor of History at Quinnipiac. Sara’s extensive experience as a historian and faculty member, combined with her leadership in faculty development, will be invaluable as she steps into this role. At St. Francis College, where she serves as the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFÉ), Sara provided vital resources and support for faculty to excel in teaching, service, and research. She designs and leads workshops on topics such as AI in the classroom, classroom climate, and transparent design, and was a collaborator on the College’s HSI STEM grant team. Additionally, she has been deeply involved in curricular initiatives such as the Students and Faculty in the Archives project (SAFA), the American Historical Association Tuning Project, and the American Historical Association & Gardner Institute’s History Gateways Project. Her deep understanding of both academic and administrative perspectives uniquely positions her to advance pedagogical innovation, expand faculty development opportunities, and enhance the integration of technology in teaching at Quinnipiac. In addition to serving as Director of the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence, Sara has held leadership roles as Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies, Director of Honors, and Director of General Education, spearheading key initiatives in curriculum development and faculty support. Since joining St. Francis College in 2011, Sara has distinguished herself as a history professor, focusing on Black radicalism, civil rights, and the Cold War. She authored James and Esther Cooper Jackson: Love and Courage in the Black Freedom Movement (2015) and has published articles on these topics. Sara has also contributed to teaching and learning scholarship, with works in Designing Introductory History Courses for Student Success and JSTOR Daily. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the search committee and everyone involved in the campus visits. Your dedication and thoughtful contributions were instrumental in ensuring a successful search process. Special thanks to Poonam Arora, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Management in the School of Business; Caitlin Hanlon, Assistant Professor of Biology; Lynn Byers, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Mechanical Engineering Program; Clotilde Dudley-Smith, Assistant Professor and Program Director of Health Science Studies; and Tyler Traister, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Director of Undergraduate Nursing Programs. Your commitment to this important endeavor is deeply appreciated. Please join me in warmly welcoming Sara to our community and in supporting her as she takes on this significant role. Regards, Dr. Debra J. Liebowitz Provost Quinnipiac University