UPDATES FROM THE DEAN
TheDean'sofficeisconductinganinternalsearchforanInterimAssociateDeanforResearch.This isaone-yearpositionaswedevelopalongtermplanfortherole.Theattacheddocumentoutlines therolesandresponsibilitiesfortheposition.
Role: Provide leadership and administrative support for the research operations in the College of Science and Mathematics; Assist with and lead efforts to expand research productivity, especially externally funded research as part of GSU’s Soaring to Research Excellence plan; serve as an integralpartoftheCOSMleadershipteam
Campus: Must have a sustained and functioning presence on both Armstrong and Statesboro campusestosupportresearchactivefacultyandresearchoperationsintheCollege.
Workload:70%administration,10%research,and20%teaching
ResearchAdministrativeDuties:
RepresentCOSMintheResearchAssociateDean’smeetingswiththeOfficeofResearch. Developandadministerinternalresearchgrantsthatsupportfacultyandstudentresearch.
Serve as the signature authority for grants submissions from COSM faculty – approves Institutional Commitment Forms, reviews & approves grants and contracts, and other associatedduties.
Gather,analyze,andreportdatarelatedtotheCOSMresearchoperations.
OverseetheAdminFellowforUndergraduateResearchandtheCOSMOfficeofUndergraduate Research
Develop and implement initiatives to support and expand faculty and student research operationsinCOSM
Prepare and submit as PI and/or coPI external grant proposals that, when funded, will expand andenhanceresearchinCOSM.
Work closely with the COSM Faculty Research Council and COSM faculty to develop and administeraCOSMResearchStrategicPlan.
OverseetheCOSMCoreResearchLab(s)
Provideguidancetocenterandinstitutedirectorsinresearch-relatedareas.
Otherdutiesasassigned
OtherAdministrativeDuties:
ServeontheCOSMCouncil
Assist with COSM Strategic Planning Committee and data collection related to the strategic plan
Applications are due Friday, March 21st by 5 PM Please submit a letter of application and an updatedCV Inyourletterofapplication,pleasedetailyourexperiencesthathavepreparedyoufor thisinterimAssociateDeanposition
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontactmedirectlyatmhuggins@georgiasouthern.edu.
Sincerely, Mike
PHD FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
TheCollegeofScienceandMathematicsinvitesstudentsintheEnvironmentalSciencePh.D. programatGeorgiaSouthernUniversitytoapplyforaone-year$30,000graduateresearch fellowshiptosupporttheirdissertationresearchefforts.
Onefellowshipwillbeawardedforthe2025-2026academicyearonacompetitivebasisand willconsistofthe$30,000stipendandatuitionwaiver.
Eligibility
StudentsinthePhDEnvironmentalScienceprogramwhoareingoodacademicstandinginthe JackN.AverittCollegeofGraduateStudiesareeligible.
Criteria
ApplicationswillbeevaluatedbytheEnvironmentalScienceGraduateAdmissionsCommittee accordingtothefollowingcriteria:
Feasibilityoftheproject
Evidencethattheproposedprojectcanbecompletedorasignificantamountofprogress canbemadeduringtheoneyearfellowshipperiod.
Clarityandpersuasivenessoftheproposal(applicantsshouldkeepinmindthatthe proposalswillbeevaluatedbyfacultyfromoutsidetheapplicant’sdiscipline).
Plansfordisseminatingtheresultsoftheresearch.
Theimportanceofthesupportfortheapplicant’scompletionoftheirdegree.
DeadlineandSubmissionProcess
Completedapplicationsshouldbesubmittedonlineusingtheformfoundherenolaterthan 11:59p.m.onMarch31,2025.
FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT
GeorgiaSouthern’sGremillionAwardedNSFGrantSupportingSTEM Scholarships
byMaryKateAllen
SaraGremillion,Ph.D.,aprofessorinGeorgiaSouthernUniversity’sCollegeofScienceand Mathematics,andherteamhasbeenawardedanearly$2millionNationalScienceFoundation (NSF)granttoprovidescholarshipsandsupportprogramsforacademicallytalented,lowincomestudentspursuingdegreesinBiochemistry,Biology,Chemistry,Geosciences, Mathematics,Physics,orSustainabilityScience
“Manystudentswhoreceivefinancialaidstilldonothaveenoughmon toattendcollege,”Gremillionsaid.“Thisgrantwillprovide‘lastdollar’ scholarshipstocoverthatoutstandingcostsotheycanpursuetheir collegedegree.
Gremillionisworkingwithco-principalinvestigatorsKathlynSmith,PhD DragosAmarie,PhD,TuyinAn,PhD,andShainazLandge,PhD,to implementtheprogram Whilethegrantisnotresearch-focused,she emphasizedthecollaborativenatureoftheteam’sefforts.“Weallwork togetherwiththecommongoalofstudentsuccess,”shesaid.
Recruitingstudentsremainsaprimarychallenge.“Withsomanychoicesinhighereducation, thetoughpartwillberecruitingstudents,”Gremillionsaid.
However,sheexpressedconfidenceintheprogram’ssuccess,creditingthededicationofthe facultyandadministratorsinvolved.Thegrant’sprogrammingisdesignedtosupportstudent scholarsbeyondfinancialaid,preparingthemforacademicsuccess,jobandpost-graduate opportunities,andoverallwell-being
“ThroughthisS-STEMaward,wewillempowerthenextgenerationofinnovatorsandscholarsby offeringessentialopportunities,providingprofessionaldevelopmentskills,andpromoting excellence,”saidLandge,aco-PIonthegrant.
Gremillionhasseenfirsthandtheimpactofmentorship.“Oneofmyformerstudentsdidn’tthink shewascapableofdoingresearch,”shesaid.“Multiplefacultyconvincedherotherwise,andher undergraduateresearchledhertograduateschoolandasuccessfulcareerinfoodscience. Simpleencouragementcanmakeahugeimpact”
TostaycurrentwithbestpracticesinSTEMeducationandmentorship,Gremillionattends conferencesandparticipatesinnationallearningcommunities.“Thereisalwayssomethingnew tolearnregardingmentorshipandstudentsupport,”shesaid.
Throughouthercareer,shehasbeenguidedbystrongmentors.
“Throughoutmytimeasastudentandearlycareerbiologist,Ihadexcellentmentors,” Gremillionsaid.“I’mstillintouchwithallofthemandhaveoftenreachedoutforadvice.”
Lookingahead,sheplanstocontinuegrowingasamentorandresearcher,applyingbest practicestosupportstudentsinSTEMfields
The Eagle Battalion was honored to host COL Dumser, Commander of the 6th Brigade Army ROTC,and CSMDumond duringtheirrecentvisitto Georgia Southern University As part of their campus tour, they had the opportunity to meet Steve Hein, Director of the Center for Wildlife Education, and spend time with Freedom, the university’sbelovedlivemascot.
In recognition of Steve Hein’s dedication and ongoing support of both Georgia Southern and the Eagle Battalion, COL Dumser presented him with a challenge coin a token of appreciation for his invaluable contributions. It was a memorable visit that highlighted the strong partnerships within our campuscommunity.
Georgia Southern biologists made a strongimpressionattheAnnualMeeting oftheSouthernDivisionoftheAmerican Fisheries Society in Asheville, NC. Representing the university were Dr. Jamie Roberts, post-baccalaureate researcher Megan Mathis, MS students BridgetteNicolosiandBradCayson,and Dr.SteveVives
Brad,mentoredbyDr.AustinFrances,and Bridgette, mentored by Dr. Roberts and Dr. Vives, delivered well-received presentations on their thesis research. Bridgette was awarded the Best GraduateStudentPaperRunner-up!
Dr. Maxim Durach from the BCP Department recently participated in STEM Night at Portal ElementarySchoolinPortal,Georgia.Engaging with students, parents, and educators, Dr. Durach shared his expertise and passion for science through hands-on activities and interactivedemonstrations Theeventprovided an exciting opportunity for young learners to explore various STEM fields, fostering curiosity and a love for discovery. His presence highlighted our commitment to community outreach and science education, inspiring the nextgenerationofscientistsandinnovators.
SOCIAL MEDIA/FREEDOM RUN
Ifyouhavephotographsfromarecentevent,class,orlabthatyou’dliketoshare,orifyouhave aflyerpromotinganupcomingevent,we’dlovetofeaturethem!PleasecompletetheGoogle Formtosubmityourmaterials,andwewillensuretheyaresharedononeormoreofthe CollegeofScienceandMathematics(COSM)socialmediaplatforms.Yourcontributionshelpus highlighttheexcitingactivitieshappeningwithinCOSMandkeepourcommunityengaged!
Facebook:gsucosm
Instagram:gscosm
Linkedin:georgia-southern-college-of-science-and-mathematics
GeorgiaSouthernMidweekMemo/otherGSoutlets
SPRING PLANT SALE: APRIL 5 & 6
Spring2025PlantSaleFundraiser
Date:April5and6
Location:1503BlandAvenue,POBox8039,Statesboro,GA30460
Phone:912-478-1149
FeaturingHeirloomPlants,Pollinator-FriendlyNatives,Hard-to-FindSpecimens,Houseplants,and more!
MagnoliaCircleParty:ExclusiveEarlyAccesstothePlantSale,Friday,April4th
MagnoliaCirclemembershaveexclusiveearlyaccesstoshopourSpringPlantSale beforeitopenstothepublic.Getfirstpickofthesale’sfinestselectionofplants.
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS