News

We’re excited to announce that Dr. Deepa Rao will be joining the Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF) at the University of Washington as the Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development, effective October 1, 2024. This appointment follows a successful search that attracted faculty applicants from across UW’s tri-campus system.

As Associate Vice Provost of Faculty Development, Dr. Rao will oversee and support faculty affairs processes, leading key initiatives such as faculty development programming, mentorship, leadership training, and promotion and tenure reviews. Her responsibilities will also include expanded tenure workshops, faculty awards and recognition, department chair training, policy governance, and faculty code analysis across all three UW campuses. Dr. Rao will continue to hold her faculty appointment in the Department of Global Health.

With an impressive background, Dr. Rao serves as a Professor in UW’s Department of Global Health, co-appointed in the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, she has led several large-scale, NIH- and CDC-funded projects focused on mental health services and stigma-reduction interventions globally. Her current roles include directing the MPH program and teaching courses like Rethinking Global Health and Global Mental Health. Dr. Rao is also Vice Dean for Faculty in the School of Public Health, where she developed a comprehensive faculty development program and helped revise the faculty handbook to incorporate community-engaged and antiracist approaches to scholarship, research, and service.

Dr. Rao’s career spans over 15 years at UW, during which she has been a strong advocate for students, staff, and faculty. As the inaugural chair of the Faculty Affairs Advisory Committee (FAAC), she has played a pivotal role in representing the School of Public Health on the FAAC and shaping policies to support a more inclusive academic community. Drawing inspiration from Paulo Freire, she is deeply committed to de-centering privilege and fostering multidirectional learning in her work.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the search committee—Leesa Hall, Shelley Kostrinsky, Trish Kritek, Maya Smith, and Marjorie Olmstead (Chair)—for their dedicated efforts in ensuring a successful search.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Rao to Academic Personnel as she steps into this vital role. We look forward to the exciting contributions she will bring to the University of Washington.

As the UW gears up for its transition to the Big Ten Conference for the 2024-25 academic year, the university’s integration into the prestigious Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) is also in full swing. Alongside its athletic endeavors, UW will participate in the BTAA’s leadership development programs with five department chairs and two deans selected as fellows for this prestigious program.

UW President Ana Mari Cauce highlighted the benefits of this transition. “The Big Ten is a thriving conference with strong athletic and academic traditions and we are excited and confident about competing at the highest level on a national stage. My top priority must be to do what is best for our student-athletes and our university and this move will help ensure a strong future for our athletics program.”

Beyond athletics, UW’s membership in the Big Ten includes participation in the BTAA—a consortium of research universities committed to advancing academic leadership and collaboration. The BTAA offers various programs designed to cultivate the next generation of university leaders. The University of Washington has selected seven leaders to join two of the BTAA’s flagship programs: the Deans Leadership Program (DLP) and the Department Executive Officer (DEO) Program.

These programs span the 2024-2025 academic year, providing immersive leadership experiences aimed at building leadership skills and competencies. The DLP focuses on new deans, guiding them through the critical challenges of their early years, while the DEO program is designed for department chairs to hone skills in conflict resolution, faculty development and communication.

 

Deans Leadership Program Fellows

Tamara Lawson, LL.M., J.D.
As the Toni Rembe Dean and Professor of Law at the UW School of Law, Tamara Lawson brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles including serving as dean at St. Thomas University College of Law in Miami. Her work extends beyond the classroom with leadership roles in national legal organizations and a history of advocacy on issues such as criminal justice and race.

Michael Spencer, PhD
Dean of the UW School of Social Work, Michael Spencer is the university’s first Native Hawaiian dean. His career has focused on Indigenous health and social welfare with his work at the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute underscoring his commitment to advancing health equity for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

 

Department Executive Officer Program Fellows

Whasun Oh Chung, PhD
Chair of the Department of Oral Health Sciences, Dr. Chung is a longtime faculty member at the UW School of Dentistry. Known for her research in oral health, she has also played a key role in mentoring students and guiding the department’s research agenda.

Princess Imoukhuede, PhD
As the Hunter and Dorothy Simpson Endowed Chair of Bioengineering, Dr. Imoukhuede is a trailblazer in her field. She is the first African American woman to earn a PhD in bioengineering from Caltech and has received numerous awards for her contributions to biomedical engineering.

Janine Jones, PhD, NCSP
Dr. Jones, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of School Psychology, focuses her work on culturally responsive interventions for students of color. Her research seeks to bridge gaps in educational equity through resilience-building and emotional interventions.

Adrian KC Lee, ScD
Chair of the Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, Dr. Lee leads research that examines the brain’s processing of sound. His interdisciplinary work blending neuroscience and engineering explores how attention and auditory processing can be applied in next-generation brain-computer interfaces.

Bart Nijssen, PhD
Chair of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Dr. Nijssen’s research in hydrology and commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change make him a vital leader in the field. His leadership focuses on creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment for the next generation of engineers.

 

These seven fellows will represent the University of Washington in the Big Ten Academic Alliance during the 2024-2025 academic year, engaging in programs that will shape their leadership within academia and beyond.

 

 

 

Story filed by Courtney Laguio, Assistant Communications Director for the Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF)

The University of Washington’s Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF) is ushering in a new era for its promotion and tenure (P&T) process by implementing the Interfolio Review, Promotion & Tenure (RPT) system. This initiative aims to streamline the management of P&T cases, offering enhanced transparency, thoroughness, and efficiency in the evaluation process. As part of this transition, APF is providing a series of targeted training sessions to ensure that administrators are well-equipped to navigate the new system. But with multiple options available, which one is right for you?

Understanding the Transition

The implementation of Interfolio RPT marks a significant shift in how P&T cases are managed at UW. Designed to support the entire P&T workflow, Interfolio RPT offers features to help manage workflows, requirements , cases, and communications, ultimately simplifying the complex process of promotion and/or tenure review. As with any technology tool implementation project, there is an opportunity for process improvement, standardization, and positive change. To help users get the most out of this new system and be prepared for the January 1 launch, APF has scheduled two distinct training sessions, focusing on different aspects of Interfolio RPT.

Template Management Training: Building a Strong Foundation

If your role is responsible for maintaining the integrity and consistency of the P&T process–including workflows, document requirements, and school/college/campus or department standards that apply to all cases in your unit, the Template Management training is essential.

Key training outcomes include:

• Understanding and cloning the UW’s foundational template
• Adding to institutional requirements, including additional workflow steps, document requirements, forms, and unit-specific instructions
• Getting comfortable navigating around a template and using basic features
• Awareness of best practices

With multiple on-site sessions scheduled across all three UW campuses, there’s ample opportunity to get hands-on template management experience.

Upcoming Template Management sessions in Seattle:

• Wednesday, October 2nd, 9:30-11:00 a.m. waitlist only
• Tuesday, October 8th, 2:30-4:00 p.m. waitlist only
• Wednesday, October 9th, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, October 15th, 2:30-4:00 p.m.

Each Seattle session is limited to 45 participants, so early registration is encouraged. Location TBD.
UW Bothel and UW Tacoma sessions are invitation only and handled by each chancellor’s office.

Case Management Training: Mastering the Workflow

For those who work closely with candidates, committees, and evaluators to coordinate individual cases at the department and/or school/college/campus level, the Case Management training offers a deep dive into the functional aspects of moving a case through RPT.

Key training outcomes include:

• Initiating a case and moving it through review stages
• Uploading a document
• Getting comfortable with how information is organized in a case
• Creating and editing committees, recusing individual committee members
• Initiating and managing external reviews
• Communicating with the candidate through RPT

With multiple on-site sessions scheduled across all three UW campuses, there’s ample opportunity to get hands-on case management experience.

Upcoming Case Management sessions in Seattle:

• Tuesday, November 5th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, November 5th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 6th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, November 6th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

For Seattle Campus sessions, please plan to bring a fully charged laptop, as power outlets are limited. UWB and UWT sessions are invitation only and handled by each chancellor’s office.

Choosing the Right Training for You

Selecting the appropriate training session depends on your role and responsibilities within the P&T process. If you are a decision-maker responsible for managing the entire P&T workflow—from case initiation to completion—the Template Management training will provide the comprehensive guidance you need. If your role involves helping prepare cases, supporting committee functions, and keeping the case review on schedule, the Case Management training will be most beneficial.

As APF continues to roll out Interfolio RPT, these sessions represent an invaluable opportunity to get ahead of the curve and ensure a smooth transition to the new system. With tailored training and ample support, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the complexities of promotion and tenure reviews with confidence.