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Biography

Dr. Marko Dumančić serves as the Assistant Provost for Faculty Development and Student Success at Western Kentucky University (WKU), where he champions faculty success and student academic excellence. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a Professorship in WKU’s History Department.

Dr. Marko Dumančić champions a holistic approach to undergraduate education that emphasizes hands-on learning, faculty engagement, and inclusive education, significantly enhancing student success and retention across various disciplines. Under his guidance, the Gateway to Graduation initiative as well as the Living Learning Community (LLC) Program have been characterized by dynamic faculty involvement and notable increases in student enrollment and retention. These two programs merge applied learning with strong faculty support, directly enhancing student experiences and outcomes in their initial major courses and general education coursework. Dr. Dumančić also spearheaded the Inclusive Teaching Academy, vital to WKU’s efforts to embrace diversity and inclusion within educational practices. Moreover, he has been instrumental in advancing the 1st Generation Initiative, significantly boosting retention and academic success for first-generation college students.

His scholarship critically examines the intersections of gender and the broader culture, with a particular focus on Soviet masculinity during the Cold War era. His first book, Men Out of Focus: The Soviet Masculinity Crisis in the Long Sixties, received the AATSEEL Award for Best Book in Cultural Studies, underscoring his contributions to the fields of history and gender studies. Currently, his research is focused on understanding the actions and motivations of the perpetrators of the Bosnian genocide.

Open Forums

• Thursday, November 14, 4:00-5:00 p.m. in Shideler Hall, room 152
• Friday, November 15, 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Shideler Hall, room 152

Biography

Jennifer Fredricks is a professor of Psychology at Union College. Previously, she served as the Dean of Academic Departments and ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú at Union College, where she was responsible for all aspects of faculty hiring, curricular development and review, faculty development, academic departments, interdisciplinary programs, and teaching and research support. At Union College, she co-led the development and implementation of a new general education program; strengthened the infrastructure for innovative teaching. mentorship, and research; and increased the hiring of diverse faculty and staff. Prior to her time at Union, Jennifer taught at Connecticut College for 17 years where she served as the faculty director of the Holleran Center for Community Engagement and Public Policy, chair of the Human Development Department, and Chair of the Priorities, Planning, and Budget Committee. At Connecticut College, she developed new community partnerships; increased advising supports; and strengthened supports for community-based learning. Jennifer is an international expert on student engagement and has written extensively on how to translate research to classroom practice. She is author of Eight Myths of Student Disengagement: Creating Classrooms of Deep Learning, co-editor of the Handbook of Student Disengagement Interventions: Working with Disengaged Students and co-editor of Sociocultural Perspectives on Student Engagement: Theory, Research, and Application. Jennifer runs professional developments on how to create more engaging and student-centered classrooms for both K-12 and higher education educators.

Open Forums

• Wednesday, November 20, 4:00-5:00 p.m. in Kreger Hall, room 319
• Thursday, November 21, 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Kreger Hall, room 319

Biography

Michelle Pautz is Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean for Curriculum and Academic Student Success in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Dayton. Prior to her role in the College, she served as the Assistant Provost for the Common Academic Program and also served as the director of the MPA program. She teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses, focusing on environmental policy, government administration, and regulation, and film and politics. She is the 2016 recipient of the UD Alumni Award for Faculty Teaching.  She has published ten books and more than 30 journal articles on topics ranging from the implementation of environmental regulations to the depiction of government in film to increasing information literacy through class projects. She holds a Ph.D. in public administration and a MPA from Virginia Tech and a B.A. in economics, political science, and public administration from Elon University. And she is the proud dog mom of Sydney, Victoria, and Mackenzie.

Open Forums

• Thursday, November 21, 4:00-5:00 .pm. in Shideler Hall, room 152
• Friday, November 22, 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Shideler Hall, room 152