FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Amanda Rodriguez-Newhall, the Ted DeLaney Postdoctoral Fellow in Cognitive and Behavioral Science

Amanda recently completed her Ph.D. in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Michigan. This fall, she is teaching a course on Community Psychology, a field that focuses on applying psychological theories and methods to address social issues. Amanda explains that this area of inquiry "is perfect because CBSC students are hungry for opportunities to apply what they've been learning in their courses." Amanda is "humbled to serve as the inaugural Ted DeLaney Postdoctoral Fellow" and she is "excited to be at W&L, to teach and learn alongside others, and hopefully to help deepen community."

Note from the Dean

Two weeks down and ten to go. Our students have returned to campus with earnestness and exhilaration, and you have welcomed them with innovative pedagogy and commitment. Thank you for your steadfast efforts as we navigate this unchartered path.

We are leaning into the work necessary to create a more inclusive W&L. The academic year began with many of us facilitating a community reading with first-year students. Our discussion of Ibram Kendi's essays was powerfully supplemented by a webinar that allowed Dr. Kendi to engage almost 900 members of our community. At the opening University faculty meeting, we resoundingly endorsed the W&L Faculty Antiracists Plan of Action for Systemic Change . This month, we are offering our first sessions of implicit bias training for undergraduate faculty search committees, and faculty from six departments are registered. Additionally, every department and program is developing diversity and inclusion initiatives to be submitted next month.

For those who wonder whether this is a moment or a movement at W&L, these events and initiatives speak for themselves. There remains much to inspire and galvanize our community, and we have accepted the challenge.