Statler College Announces the Dean's Leadership Faculty Fellows Appointments

Through a competitive application process, Ron Reaser, Leslie Hopkinson and Qingqing Huang have been selected as the inaugural cohort of the Dean's Leadership Fellows Program. (WVU Photo)

Faculty leadership development is one of the core values of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University. The Dean’s Leadership Fellows Program is designed to offer leadership training to faculty across the different academic units and at different stages of their professional careers.

Story by Kaley LaQuea, Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Created in 2022, the program aims to grow the next generation of faculty leaders for the College, and empower faculty fellows to become advocates of change in areas of research, teaching or service. The Office of the Dean oversees the process of faculty selection and engagement in leadership activities and programming, with the Associate Deans working closely with the selected faculty fellows on projects that enhance College profile in research, education and broader impact. 

"Now in its second year, our program fosters growth and leadership skills among our faculty. This initiative aligns us even more deeply with our College mission: to develop globally-minded engineers, scientists and leaders who improve our quality of life by solving societal challenges and stimulating economic growth in West Virginia and beyond,” said Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College. "Our commitment to faculty development will cultivate leadership skills, knowledge and experience to help our community thrive." 

Ron Reaser, teaching instructor in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering is starting his leadership journey in the academics and student performance. Assisting Robin Hissam, associate dean, Reaser will develop opportunities for undergraduate students interested in engineering education. The target audience will be students wanting to attend graduate school and/or serving as academic support for current students. Reaser earned his Master of Science in computer science in 2011 from West Virginia University and has been a teaching instructor since 2019.   

"My goal as an educator is to use evidence-based teaching practices to improve learning outcomes and engagement for my students,” said Reaser. “I believe this opportunity as a Dean's Leadership Fellow will provide mentorship, networking and resources to expand my passion into the domain of academic programs and Statler College curricula initiatives."  

Reaser will also work alongside Leslie Hopkinson, associate professor in the Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, now in her second year as a Dean’s Fellow for Academics. Hopkinson earned her doctorate in biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech in 2009. She joined Statler College in 2010 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2016. Hopkinson will focus on the development of new recruitment events. She will work closely with the Recruitment Office to implement programming to increase interest and enrollment in Statler College.    

QingQing Huang, associate professor of mining engineering will continue in her 2nd year as the Dean’s Fellow for Engagement and Outreach. Huang earned her doctorate in mining engineering from the University of Kentucky in 2016. She joined Statler College in 2017 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2023.  

Huang will work with Cerasela Zoica Dinu, associate dean for student, faculty and staff engagement, in developing programming aimed at creating engagement strategies for successful recruiting and retention of students and faculty in the Statler College.  

For more information about the program, please visit the engagement website. 

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