The
Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast (CHC) is proud to announce its three new faculty affiliates:
Dr. Tianxing Cai is an assistant professor in the Dan F. Smith
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He specializes in air and water quality and industrial safety — issues crucial to understanding the impact of petrochemical and heavy industry in our region.
Dr. Mark Mengerink is an associate professor of
history who works in Holocaust studies and has researched the role of Southeast Texas veterans in World War II. He has been a friend of the center since its inception, supporting events and serving on juries.
Dr. Adam Nemmers is an assistant professor in the
English and Modern Languages department. He is a scholar with an interest in the literatures of the south and Texas and has collaborated with the center on past programming.
According to center director Dr. Jimmy Bryan, faculty affiliates of the Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University consist of a diverse, multi-disciplinary group of scholars, artists and educators whose academic activities intersect with the mission to enrich the knowledge of the region.
Faculty affiliates essentially become a part of the program by alerting the center of their work relating to Southeast Texas and the greater Gulf Coast. After a simple application process, the director and assistant director recommend applicants to the center’s advisory board for approval.
“Through the faculty affiliate program, the Center for History and Culture recognizes the work of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ scholars whose research enrich our knowledge of Southeast Texas and the greater Gulf Coast,” Bryan said. “Faculty affiliates also participate in center programs serve on fellowship and award juries, moderate events and serve as mentors for the undergraduate and graduate researchers. Faculty affiliates serve three-year terms, renewable at the discretion of the director.”
With the addition of three more faculty affiliates, the center will now have a total of nine affiliates, the center director said, noting the importance is placed on the diversity of disciplines.
“Interdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration lie at the core of the center’s mission. We value multiple and varied perspectives as the key to better understanding the many different experiences and communities of Southeast Texas and the greater Gulf region,” Bryan said. “The faculty affiliate program helps us achieve that goal by fostering a dynamic community of scholars and teachers who share expertise, provide mentorship and foster interdisciplinary exchange.”
For more information about the faculty affiliate program, visit the
Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast website.