IAA Faculty Expansion

Ed Priola, Nina LaTassa and Tony Pagnotti, our current Oral Communication Lecturers

February 25, 2014

This time next year, you will notice that the number of IAA faculty members has expanded considerably.  The Institute of Applied Agriculture will be adding five more instructors this fall, tripling the number of IAA faculty and staff from what it was just three years ago. The expansion is the result of the demand for additional sections of Oral Communication to fulfill the demands of the University’s General Education requirement.  Beginning in the fall 2014, the IAA will be offering 80 sections of INAG 110: Oral Communication, providing seats for over 1500 students annually.

IAA Director Glori Hyman notes that all of this will greatly raise the visibility of the IAA campus wide.

“The Institute will be making a significant contribution to undergraduate studies and more students will now be aware of the IAA, our courses and our fabulous faculty.”

Currently a nationwide search for the lecturers’ positions is being conducted.  When asked what kind of instructors she hopes to attract, Hyman’s immediate response is “More like the ones we already have!”  She explains, “I’m hoping to find hands-on instructors who engage students in class activities, have a strong work ethic, and are passionate about teaching.  Our continued success will be dependent on quality teaching.”

Hyman says the IAA’s oral communication course is great for anyone because “it’s applied, practical and fun.”    But she credits the original trio of faculty members —Tony Pagnotti, Nina LaTassa, and Ed Priola—for the increased popularity of the class.  “We were fortunate to have hired such a talented, motivated team of instructors.”