Fisher College announces latest endowed chairs
Program recognizes promising researchers in the early stages of their careers
By Cody Boteler on September 27, 2020
The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science & Mathematics at Towson University has announced the latest Fisher Endowed Professors, who will be in their positions until 2023.
Kimberly C. Corum was appointed as the seventh endowed professor in mathematical and computing sciences. An assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, she joined the faculty in 2017.
Anne M. Estes was appointed as the 15th endowed professor in biological and physical sciences. Also an assistant professor, Estes joined the Department of Biological Science in 2017.
“Both Dr. Corum and Dr. Estes stand out as exceptionally talented and dedicated early-career professors. They exhibit a high level of scholarship within their discipline, and a strong record of providing TU students with amazing learning experiences,” says David Vanko, dean of the Fisher College of Science & Mathematics. “They have tremendous potential, which this award and the funds that go with it will help them to achieve.”
Corum is a faculty co-adviser for the Mathematics Education Club and tutors mathematics in the Goucher College Prison Education Partnership. She is one of just 30 individuals accepted into the 2018–19 cohort of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators’ Service, Training and Research Fellows program.
Her research focuses on two main questions: How can makerspaces support the teaching and learning of mathematics? And how do we best prepare teachers to integrate makerspaces into their classroom instruction? She and other colleagues established a Making and Modeling Lab in 7800 York, where students and faculty have access to 3D printers and other crafting tools.
Estes has actively mentored at least six undergraduate students, giving them opportunities to co-publish and co-present their work. Her research looks at differences between the microbiomes of larval and adult dung beetles and whether the microbiomes harbor antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which could have significant public health implications.
The endowed chair program in biological and physical sciences was established in 2006 by the Robert M. Fisher Memorial Foundation to honor the memory of Jess Fisher ’34, his wife Mildred and their family, to maximize the benefit of their philanthropy for students in the Fisher College. The parallel program in mathematical and computing sciences was established in 2016 using funds from the Jess & Mildred Fisher General Endowment.
Professors in the program, appointed by the dean, serve a term of three years. A specific objective of the program is to incorporate high-quality research opportunities in undergraduate learning experiences through supporting the scholarly growth of highly promising early-career faculty members.
This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: Diverse and Inclusive Campus and World-Class Faculty Development Center.