TAMIU Annual Report 2020

20 NEW FACULTY MEMBERS JOIN TAMIU THIS YEAR TAMIU’s vastly different Fall 2020 semester had something else different besides four course delivery modalities: 20 new faculty members leading the University’s higher education mission. TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Tom Mitchell said the new faculty join the University’s five Colleges and Schools from a variety of universities—most holding the highest or terminal degree in their field. “Wewelcomed an impressive group of new faculty this Fall. They are the result of nationwide searches and we’re eager for them to share their insight, guidance and research with our students. Over 90% hold the highest terminal degree in their discipline, bringing additional depth and expertise that continues to distinguish our students’ learning experience here,” Dr. Mitchell said. Meet newfacultyprofiled in the immersiveMosaic TAMIUProject, here: go.tamiu.edu/ar20-mosaic FACULTY MEMBER LEADS STUDENTS IN PPE EFFORT TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS As the Pandemic’s spread mandated keeping a social distance, TAMIUSchool of Engineering assistant professor Dr. TariqTashtoush andhis studentswent the distance -- creatingprotectivemasks, shields and aerosol boxes for Laredo’s frontline first responders. The masks and shields were donated for use by ER doctors in the three Laredo hospitals and both City of Laredo andWebb County fire departments. The aerosol boxes, used to protect responders during intubationprocedures, were presented to the Laredo FireDepartment to be used by department paramedics and local hospitals. TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz shared his pride for TAMIU School of Engineering students and their professor. “TheUniversity is a proudpart of this community andwe arehonored to be able to help with this response. We are TAMIU Together, we are Laredo Together. I’mparticularly thankful to Dr. Tashtoush, who volunteered for this project and has shown remarkable leadership, providing his students with an unforgettable and valuable learning experience,” Dr. Arenaz said. Dr. Tashtoush saidhe andhis studentsweremotivatedby the need for personal protective equipment for first responders. “We are thankful for the partnership andwewere happy tobe able to address this need. We want to help. We will never say no to being able tohelpour first responders andprovide themwith the protective edge they deserve,” he affirmed. Dr.TomMitchell,TAMIU Provost Engineering Students created the combined effort. 12