Faculty Members Receive Promotions

This semester, five Whitman faculty members were granted tenure and one was promoted to full professor.

Those who received tenure are: Susanne N. Beechey, associate professor of politics; Michelle Jenkins, associate professor of philosophy; Justin Lincoln, associate professor of art; Richard Martinez, associate professor of art; and Yukiko Shigeto, associate professor of foreign languages and literatures. Zahi Zalloua was promoted to full professor of foreign languages and literatures (French) and interdisciplinary studies. Their new positions are effective as of the start of the 2016-17 academic year.

Interim Provost and Dean of the Faculty Pat Spencer commented on the promotions of each faculty member, highlighting in all cases their dedication to teaching, scholarship and service to their students and the Whitman community.

Zahi Zalloua, who was promoted to full professor, teaches a wide range of topics, from French literature to gender studies and race and ethnic studies. A recipient of the G. Thomas Edwards Award for Excellence in Teaching and Advising, Spencer said that "he has a strong record of professional accomplishment and is also active in college governance."

Japanese professor Yukiko Shigeto "is an accomplished teacher and scholar who creates a classroom environment that is at once rigorous, challenging and welcoming to students," Spencer added. While Richard Martinez, associate professor of art, "challenges his students to realize their full creative potential. He is thoughtful and self-reflective about his teaching."

Spencer said that Justin Lincoln, who is in the studio art department, has a keen knowledge of new media, art and technology and is "truly interdisciplinary. His courses are engaging and challenging."

Philosophy professor Michelle Jenkins was praised by students for her passion in teaching, and by Spencer for her scholarship and "her promise as a future leader."

Susanne Beechey, a member of the politics department "creates an open and engaging academic environment; her students feel safe and comfortable dealing with complex and difficult issues." Spencer added that she is a strong voice on campus for under-representative groups.

At Whitman today, there are 145 tenured or tenure-track faculty members. These teacher-scholars engage with, challenge and encourage Whitman's 1,540 students to take full advantage of the liberal arts and sciences education available to them. Today, the average class size is about 16 students, and the interaction between faculty members and students in small classes continues to create a fantastic learning environment for Whitman students.