University of North Texas 
Welcoming Dr. Jeannette Ginther as Faculty Development Specialist
Monday, August 24, 2026
The Faculty Success team is delighted to welcome Dr. Jeannette L. Ginther, former
principal lecturer in the College of Education, as faculty development specialist.
A passionate educator with 28 years of experience in both K-12 public schools and higher education, Dr. Ginther will partner with units across the university — from LEEF and Student Success to Research and Innovation and the UNT Libraries — to provide faculty development programming, support, and resource planning that advances UNT’s mission. Her focus areas will include leading faculty mentoring programs, managing faculty awards and grant applications, and assessing Faculty Success programs and initiatives.
“Jeannette brings a wealth of expertise and experience as an educator and professional development specialist,” says Dr. Holly Hutchins, vice provost for faculty success. “She is already connecting with faculty and unit administrators to engage in mentoring support. We are excited to see what new initiatives she will launch to help our faculty soar.”
After a decade of classroom teaching in both New York and Texas, Dr. Ginther served as a district student achievement specialist, district professional learning coordinator, educational consultant, field supervisor for clinical intern teachers, and adjunct lecturer here at UNT before becoming a full-time faculty member in the Department of Teacher Education and Administration in 2017.
“I know from experience that faculty life is both rewarding and challenging,” she says. “Some of the most meaningful moments in my own career came from my relationships with colleagues who encouraged me, challenged my thinking, or reminded me that I was not navigating this work alone. In this role, I now have an opportunity to help create those transformative experiences for faculty across the university.”
One of Dr. Ginther’s primary responsibilities as faculty development specialist will be overseeing the UNT Faculty Mentoring Program — an initiative that’s close to her heart given her own participation in university-level faculty mentoring and her extensive background in designing evidence-based professional development experiences.
“Careers in education and academia are shaped by so much more than just accomplishments,” she says. “Throughout my own career, the people who impacted my professional trajectory were the ones who intentionally made time for me, helped me recognize my potential, and gently pointed out areas where I needed growth.
When I became a faculty mentor myself, I was guided by the belief that mentorship — in all of its iterations — is most powerful when it guides faculty to discover and pursue paths that feel deeply authentic, and when it creates a sense of confidence, self-efficacy, and belonging while navigating the complexities of higher education.”