Eleanor Abrams has been appointed the executive director for Engagement and Faculty Development. She assumes the position June 1.
“I am both extremely pleased and honored that professor Eleanor Abrams has agreed to serve in this key leadership position as executive director in our office. Eleanor brings a high level of expertise and knowledge that will help us move key efforts to the next level of excellence to continue support of faculty and our external partners,” says Julie Williams, senior vice provost for Engagement and Academic Outreach. “Along with our team of faculty fellows and scholarly coaches, we are looking forward with great anticipation to our next steps.”
A professor of education, Abrams has served as a senior faculty fellow in the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Engagement and Academic Outreach and as chair of the Research and Engagement Academy.
“Eleanor has been for many years a valuable part of the team Julie Williams has put together to support substantive and effective faculty development programs. I am very pleased that we can now recognize Eleanor’s wonderful work, and give her a more permanent post from which to continue these efforts,” says Provost John Aber. “Through both the Engaged Scholars Academy, and the Research and Engagement Academy, and through a number of directed Faculty Learning Communities, Julie and Eleanor, with help from a number of dedicated faculty and staff, have supported faculty aspirations to advance their scholarly activity.”
“I am so pleased to be asked to serve in this important position. UNH is a very special university, recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as ‘Community Engaged.’ I feel immensely privileged to be able to support our outstanding faculty in their scholarship and engagement with community partners,” Abrams says.
Abrams received a bachelor of science from the University of Massachusetts in wildlife biology/ botany in 1983 and a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in science education with an emphasis in ecology in 1993. She has taught science education (elementary and secondary methods), environmental education, the internship in teacher education, doctoral courses, and courses in technology and multi-media education.
“Professor Abrams has had a distinguished record of accomplishment in teaching, research and engagement during her years in the education department. Her excellence and experience in planning professional development activities and for establishing collaborative partnerships in the community make her well prepared for success in her new role,” says Michael Middleton, chair of the education department. “Professor Abrams is poised to make a significant contribution to the academic mission of the university as executive director.”
Williams stated, “I am particularly grateful to the search committee that recommended Professor Abrams to me. This includes the committee co-chairs, Professor Mike Merenda and Associate Provost Leigh Anne Melanson and committee members Professor Gale Carey, and Associate Professors Kerry Kazura, Mihaela Sabin, Nathan Schwadron, and Becky Sideman.”
