University of North Texas 
Faculty Fellows Program
UNT is committed to developing leaders capable of catalyzing and sustaining change.
The UNT Faculty Fellows program, founded in 2008, supports individual and organizational
skill-building. Competencies such as increased self-awareness, confidence, strategic
thinking, relationship building, and interdisciplinary collaborations are a few of
the key outcomes of the year-long program.
Meet our 2026-2027 Faculty Fellows
About the Fellows Program
The Fellows Program has two options: Faculty Leadership Fellows (FLF) and Academic Affairs Fellows (AAF). The FLF option is ideal for an emerging faculty leader interested in gaining more visibility and experience leading a college-level project and networking with other college leaders across the university. Our AAF program is for high-potential or established faculty leaders (current or former chairs, program directors, center directors). The AAF option involves an immersive leadership development experience in co-leading one or more university-level projects with the guidance of a Faculty Success Office sponsor. The AAF offers a full-time faculty member an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in institutional planning and decision-making, change management, program development, and academic policy at the university level. The AAF includes a one-course buyout for each semester.
Fellows in both program options will meet monthly as a learning cohort to:
- Develop and lead/co-lead strategic projects (college or university-level)
- Assess and utilize leadership strengths and opportunities
- Learn from Fellow cohort members and executive and senior leaders
- Engage with senior and executive leaders at the UNT-Denton campus
- Increase confidence in communicating about strategic projects, impacts, and leadership role
- Broaden network among academic leaders and colleagues on the UNT-Denton campus
Be sure to explore the following faculty leadership development programs offered by
our campus partners:
- Educator Fellow: Administered by LEEF, this opportunity invites UNT educators to partner with one of LEEF's units in advancing evidence-based teaching, faculty development, and curricular coherence across UNT. Additional information can be found on the LEEF website.
- Global Faculty Fellow: Administered by the International Affairs office, this program focuses on advancing campus internationalization for faculty. Additional information can be found on the International Affairs website.
- Student Success Fellow: Administered by the Student Success office, this program offers faculty an opportunity to contribute to university-level priorities focused on student success while gaining experience in academic leadership, cross-institutional collaboration, and strategic implementation. Additional information can be found on the Student Success website.
2026-2027 Faculty Fellows
Samir Aouadi, Ph.D.
Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Jakob Burnham, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, History
Daphne Capparelli Gerling, D.M.A.
Associate Professor, Instrumental Studies
Nora Gilbert, Ph.D.
Professor, Media Arts
Gahangir Hossain, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Data Science
Virginie Kidwell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Management
Director of Graduate Professional Programs, Ryan College of Business
Edward Mager, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Brittany McElroy
Principal Lecturer, Journalism
Sharon Miller, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Jihye Min, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Hospitality, Event and Tourism Management
Alena Moon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chemistry
Kirill Morozov, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering
Cassini Nazir
Assistant Professor, Design
Obi Ogbanufe, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Information Technology and Decision Sciences
Ryan Olson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation
Srinivasan Srivilliputhur, Ph.D.
Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Academic Affairs Fellow