Dear UNT Faculty and Staff,
Every once in a while, someone who comes through the ranks at our university exhibits indelible leadership. It's my pleasure to announce that Dr. Pamela Padilla has been selected to serve as UNT's next vice president for research and innovation.
Pam, as you know her, is a professor of biological sciences who joined UNT in 2002, and has held progressive leadership roles while sustaining an active research laboratory that has helped elevate UNT as a Tier One research university. She currently serves as dean of our College of Science, and previously served as UNT's associate vice president for research and innovation. She is deeply engaged in recruiting minority students into STEM fields, and Dr. Padilla currently serves as president of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.
Now, Dr. Padilla will get the opportunity to lead our robust university in one of its most dynamic moments. With the advent of a new Science and Technology Building and a renovation to our Science Research Building, we are ready to invest even more deeply in research and take our efforts to the next level. Learn more about Dr. Padilla in the UNT news release.
I'm confident that Dr. Padilla will continue the good works that have been initiated during Dr. Mark McLellan's tenure, while bringing new vision and innovation to this position. Dr. Padilla will continue serving as College of Science dean during the spring semester, and she will formally assume her role as vice president for research and innovation June 5 upon Dr. McLellan's retirement.
I hope you will join me in congratulating Dr. Padilla on her success as she moves into our senior leadership team.
UNT Proud, Neal Smatresk UNT President