Flags Review Committee

All members of the committee are full-time faculty members, with most holding tenure or tenure-track positions. This ensures that those involved in the review hold a deep understanding of the academic landscape at UT and are well-positioned to assess the Flags. The faculty members chosen are recognized as leaders within their respective fields, having demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and service.

Half of the committee is comprised of academic deans who are also decorated and highly respected members of the faculty and who play an essential role in preserving the academic integrity of their respective college curricula. Academic deans are responsible for overseeing educational programs and ensuring that the courses within their schools uphold the highest standards of academic excellence. Their responsibilities also include monitoring academic integrity and overseeing student programs of study at their respective colleges. As such, their inclusion in this committee is vital for maintaining a strong link between the committee’s recommendations and the University’s broader academic mission. Their leadership within their colleges, combined with their ability to enforce curriculum standards, makes them key contributors to the committee’s work.

Most other committee members were selected from the list of faculties who have been inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, a prestigious body that honors and rewards excellence in teaching at UT. Membership in the Academy is a recognition of exceptional teaching and mentorship, as well as a commitment to improving the quality and depth of the undergraduate experience. Members of the Academy serve as a resource for other faculty, mentor new faculty members and advise the president and provost on teaching policies and practices. The inclusion of these faculty members ensures that the committee has a strong focus on instructional quality and student outcomes, as these faculty members are deeply engaged in fostering effective teaching and learning.

The Academy’s mission is aligned with the goals of this review committee, which seeks to ensure that the Flags continue to meet the needs of our students in an ever-changing world. Members of the Academy have a track record of promoting innovative teaching methods and enhancing undergraduate education, making their perspectives vital to this review process.

This balance of faculty members who are also academic deans and faculty members from the Academy of Distinguished Teachers was deliberately chosen to bring together a range of perspectives. Academic deans provide insight into curriculum management and academic integrity, while members of the Academy offer expertise in effective instruction and student engagement. This combination ensures that the committee will take a holistic approach to its review, considering both the structural and pedagogical aspects of the Flags.

My hope is that the committee’s composition reflects a thoughtful mixture of leadership and teaching excellence, which will help guide the review of the Flags and ensure that the recommendations made are grounded in both academic integrity and instructional best practices. The diverse backgrounds and expertise of the committee members position them to carefully assess the impact of the Flags and propose recommendations that will enhance the educational experience of our students.