What a year so far – so many changes! I hope everyone is coping during these difficult and trying times, and reaching out (virtually, as necessary) to your loved ones and network for suppport. Try to cling to those things that are positive in your life and remember, you are not alone.
One major change in my life, is a transition from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). After much deliberation, I accepted an Assistant Professor of Biogeography position in the Geography Department at SIUE. I started this new position in August and am excited to mentor students interested in the Biogeography Specialty Area within the department.
I truly enjoyed the last four years at UTC in the Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies (SCJS) Department, where I gained invaluable experiences and met many amazing people. I am so appreciative to be able to maintain the friendships I made and continue to work collaboratively with my UTC colleagues, as I transition to this new position.
In the midst of the transition, I was wonderfully surprised and honored to learn I had been selected as the recipient of the 2019-2020 campus-wide UTC Student Government Association Outstanding Professor Award. I received the plaque in the mail recently and wanted to take the time to thank UTC for the award! It was a pleasure teaching, working with, and mentoring the students at UTC and I am grateful that they nominated me for this award. I wish everyone the best of luck in their future endeavors. Please feel free to keep in touch.
I’m also very proud of my UTC SCJS colleague, Dr. Zibin Guo, who received the Outstanding Faculty Research and Creative Achievement Award!
Shannon McCarragher, Ph.D. 