University of Arkansas Teaching Center Welcomes New Co-Director

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Nursing professor Marianne Neighbors has accepted a three-year appointment as the newest co-director of the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center at the University of Arkansas.

A long-time veteran of nursing practice and education, Neighbors is professor of nursing in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing in the College of Education and Health Professions and has been teaching since 1972. She teaches both introductory and advanced nursing students, with a focus on medical-surgical nursing, community health and health promotion. She is the co-author of numerous research articles, textbooks and handbooks for nurses.

“Talking with other college teachers, both the newest and the most experienced, as an official part of my job description at the university is a dream come true,” Neighbors said. “There’s so much great teaching happening on this campus. I’m excited to be in a position to support and promote it.”

The teaching center, recently relocated to a new facility adjacent to the Harmon Avenue Parking Facility, was established in 1992 to act as a resource center for University of Arkansas teachers. The center hosts regular luncheon programs for both new and not-so-new faculty, publishes a monthly newsletter full of teaching tips and strategies, organizes orientation for new faculty and teaching assistants and orchestrates a nationally renowned three-day teaching camp every summer.

The center has three faculty co-directors, each with a one-quarter time appointment, who serve three-year rotating terms. Co-directors are appointed by the provost.

“Adding Marianne Neighbors to the leadership of the center sends a strong signal about this university’s commitment to excellence in teaching,” said Bob McMath, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Outgoing co-director, Cheryl Murphy, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, reiterated McMath’s enthusiasm for the appointment.

“Marianne has long been an inspired and attentive professor here at the university,” Murphy said. “We are thrilled to have her on board.”

Neighbors will join Charles Rosenkrans, professor of animal science, and Janine Parry, associate professor of political science, in directing the activities of the teaching center. Co-directors are assisted by a full-time administrator for the center, Lori Libbert.