Kasi Jackson, a professor of women’s and gender studies, has been named the new director of the WVU ADVANCE Center. She replaces outgoing director Melissa Latimer, who was recently named associate provost for faculty development and culture. Jackson assumed this administrative assignment on August 16 and will maintain her faculty position in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
Jackson is an expert in inclusive pedagogies, feminist science studies and the design of faculty development programs including mentorship and facilitation to achieve inclusive decision making at the department level. Since its inception, Jackson has been an integral member of the ADVANCE team, having served as an associate director of the Center and co-investigator on the original National Science Foundation grant in 2010. She also has served as one of the Center’s primary facilitators since 2010 and as a master facilitator, training others in the ADVANCE processes and techniques. Jackson designed and implemented one of the Center’s most impactful signature programs, the external sponsorship program, which provides funding for faculty to collaborate with external mentors on high-profile projects.
Reporting to Associate Provost Mark Gavin, Jackson will build on the Center’s success in delivering high-quality faculty development opportunities and plans to secure additional funding to support a re-envisioned, more inclusive, interdisciplinary graduate education.