April 24, 2026
26-61
Jessica Pope
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator
Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø Recognizes Faculty with Awarding of Tenure, Promotion
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Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø hosted its annual Faculty Tenure and Promotion Ceremony on April 23.
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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
Photo Album:
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