Workshop

Workshops will be held via Zoom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST on Sept. 6, Oct. 4, and Nov. 1.  

To create an environment that promotes interaction, attendance will be limited for each session. If you are selected to attend, each session will be emailed out the week after the workshop. 

Application participants will be notified by Aug. 27 if they are selected. 

Workshop Topics

Sept. 6

  • Panel: How to be successful in an interview
  • Elevator Pitch
  • Chairs Panel - Perspective on Hiring
  • Research Tools and Plans
  • Networking by Disciplines

Oct. 4

  • Panel: What is it like to be a new professor?
  • Mock Interview Session
  • Job Statement 1/2 (Cover letter, research, teaching, diversity)
  • Five Year Plan

Nov. 1

  • Panel: Women in academia
  • Job 2/2 (Cover letter, research, teaching, diversity)
  • Networking

 

Workshop Committee and Presenters

Dr. Yadrianna Acosta- Sojo is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Auburn University. Acosta- Sojo's research objectives include utilizing wearable technologies (e.g., exoskeletons) and methods to (1) understand changes in proprioception and motor control and (2) improve rehabilitation procedures for patients with neurological disorders. Dr. Acosta- Sojo completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan. She received her Ph.D. and M.S.E. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. 

Dr. Daniel J. Svyantek  is a professor in the psychology department of Auburn University. He served as the program director of the industrial/ organizational psychology Ph.D. program from 2003 to 2008 and as chair of the psychology department from 2008 to 2014. He is particularly interested in the development of new evaluation methods for assessing the practical value of applied research within applied contexts. In addition, his research interest areas include person-organization fit issues and the role of organizational culture and climate as the context for the expression of individual behavior in organizations.

Dr. Daniel F. Silva is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Auburn University. He holds a Ph.D. in operations research from Georgia Tech, as well as a bachelor's degree in industrial and mechanical engineering from Universidad de Los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. Silva’s research interests involve developing and applying novel techniques, including data-driven approaches, to model and solve optimization problems under uncertainty in diverse applications, including manufacturing, supply chains, and service systems. Silva also has over four years of industry experience working with two Fortune 500 corporations creating and implementing operations research solutions.

Dr. Juwan Robinson joined Auburn University in 2021 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief Diversity Officer in the Office of Inclusion and Diversity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of South Alabama, a master’s degree in higher education/student personnel from the University of Mississippi, and a doctorate in education in higher education from the University of Mississippi.  Dr. Robinson’s research and scholarly interests center on learning and development, educational policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, and the broad social impact of education.

Dr. Rochelle Williams Johnson serves as the director of diversity education and engagement in the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Auburn University.  She partners with campus and community stakeholders to deliver DEI training, professional development, and equitable and inclusive programming.  Dr. Johnson has secured and managed over 3 million dollars in federal funding to provide educational and cultural enrichment to underserved, first-generation, and low-income students.   She holds a bachelor's in psychology from William Carey College; a master's in the art of teaching in social sciences and a second master's in continuing education in counseling, both from the University of West Alabama; and a doctorate in higher educational leadership from the University of South Alabama.

Dr. Jeffrey Fergus is the associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment professor of materials engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University. He has a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D in materials science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. After a postdoctoral appointment at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Fergus joined the faculty at Auburn University in 1992. His research interests are in high-temperature and electrochemical applications of materials, including batteries, fuel cells, gas turbine engines, and chemical sensors.

Dr. Lindsay Doukopoulos is the a ssociate director for educational development of the Biggio Center at Auburn University. She supports graduate student professional development for academic careers.

Dr. Natalie Cápiro is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and an adjunct faculty member in biosystems engineering at Auburn University. Previously, she  was a research assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University. She completed her postdoctoral studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology, M.S. and Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering at Rice University, and a  B.S. in biological and environmental engineering at Cornell University. Dr. Cápiro’s research interests include environmental microbiology, bioremediation, fate and transport of legacy and emerging contaminants in natural systems, and nanoparticle-microbial interactions in the environment.

Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton is the inaugural vice president and associate provost for inclusion and diversity at Auburn University. She serves as the designated executive administrator for coordinating the university’s diversity and inclusion strategy and is the principal advocate and adviser to the president, provost and senior university leadership on issues of diversity and inclusion. Dr. Clayton also serves as convener of the CDO cabinet, an institutional body connecting diversity liaisons from units across campus. 

Dr. Lauren E Beckingham is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University. She holds a Ph.D. and a master's in civil and environmental engineering from Princeton University and a B.S. in environmental engineering from Michigan Technological University. Prior to joining Auburn, she was a geochemical postdoctoral fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Her expertise and interests are in understanding water-rock interactions in environmental systems, particularly in subsurface energy systems, including geologic CO2 sequestration and compressed energy storage.

Dr. Maria Auad is the associate dean of graduate studies and faculty development as well as director of the Center for Polymer and Advanced Composites at Auburn University. She has published over 65 technical papers in refereed journals. Her research interests include polymer material science, polymer nanocomposites, flow behavior of polymers, control of microstructures & nanostructure in materials, polymers for structural & biomedical applications. Dr. Auad received the 2018 College of Engineering Senior Faculty Award for all her research contributions. 

Dr. Kimberly Mulligan-Guy is the assistant dean of inclusion, equity, and diversity for the Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics, where she works to develop and implement initiatives that create an inclusive environment for a diverse student body, faculty, and staff.  She earned her B.S. and M.S. in chemistry from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and her Ph.D. in molecular physiology and biophysics from Vanderbilt University. Her dissertation research examined the mechanism by which insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake is impaired in the presence of inflammation. She worked for the Vanderbilt University Center for Science Outreach before coming to Auburn.

Dr. Alicia Harkless  is the acting director of Engineering Online and Continuing Education. She earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice and political science, a master’s in public administration and adult education from Troy University, and a doctoral degree in adult education from Auburn University. 

Apply here!  For more information, email aupff@auburn.edu or call 334.844.5459.