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April 24, 2026
26-61

Jessica Pope
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator

Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø Recognizes Faculty with Awarding of Tenure, Promotion

Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø hosted its annual Faculty Tenure and Promotion Ceremony on April 23. 

16 photos showing faculty tenure or promotion honorees with the vsu president

collection of 16 photos showing faculty tenure and promotion recipients with the president

VALDOSTA — Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø has awarded tenure and/or promotion to two dozen faculty members.

Tenure may be awarded, upon approval of the president, after a faculty member has completed a probationary period of at least five years of full-time service at the rank of assistant professor or higher. The award of tenure constitutes permanent status as a member of the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø faculty.

Promotion may be awarded to faculty members who demonstrate superior teaching; outstanding professional service to the university and/or the community; outstanding research, scholarship, creative activity, or academic achievement; and professional growth and development. Promotion to the rank of associate or full professor at a regional university like Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø requires the earned doctorate or other terminal degree or its equivalent in training, ability, and/or experience.

The 2026 honorees are:

College of Science and Mathematics
Ansul Lokdarshi — Department of Biology, awarded tenure
Shipra Gupta — Department of Chemistry and Geosciences, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Ahana Roy Choudhury — Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Krishnapriya Kottakkal Sugathan — Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Erin Grabarczyk — Department of Biology, promoted to associate professor

James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services
John Lairsey — Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Kathy Nobles — Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Karen Terry — Department of Teacher Education, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Heather Kelley — Department of Human Services, promoted to full professor
Forrest Parker — Department of Teacher Education, promoted to associate professor
Jamie Workman — Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development, promoted to full professor
Changwoo Yang — Department of Library and Information Studies, promoted to full professor
Jieun You — Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development, promoted to associate professor

College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Shelly Yankovskyy — Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Sarah FitzGerald — Department of History, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Joel Harper — Department of English, promoted to principal lecturer

College of the Arts
Hank Rion — Department of Communication Arts, awarded tenure and promoted to full professor
David Nelson — Department of Communication Arts, promoted to full professor
Kristin Yu — Department of Music, promoted to principal lecturer

Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration
Wenjuan Guo — Department of Management and Marketing, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Md Ruhul Amin — Department of Economics and Finance, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
Lynn Crump — School of Accountancy, promoted to senior lecturer

College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Angela Felkins — School of Nursing, promoted to senior lecturer

Odum Library
Catherine Bowers — Reference Services Department, promoted to full professor

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