Story by Abby Siegel, News Editor

Melony Shemberger was named the interim Faculty Development Center (FDC) Director July 1.

“The Faculty Development Center has been my rock since Day 1 when I started teaching full time at Murray State,” Shemberger said. “My passion is helping other faculty and I am blessed to be in this position to help others.”

Shemberger has been teaching at Murray State for four years and is an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Shemberger has set many goals to accomplish before the transition is made to a permanent director including programming for faculty and creating a smooth faculty orientation.

She said she has plans to fill the void in programming for faculty approaching tenure.

“I am relying on my public relations experience to push FDC programming and design new workshops for faculty,” she said. “We have great workshops for new faculty and general sessions for all faculty, but those who are approaching tenure need attention.”

Another goal of Shemberger’s is executing the New Faculty Orientation smoothly in early August. She said she also plans to have plenty of programming in place for the new director to make a smooth transition once he or she is appointed in Fall 2016.

Shemberger’s said her greatest joy is converting the FDC’s conference room into a more functional classroom for workshops and she is eager to spotlight the new space.

The Faculty Development Center exists to assist Murray State’s goal of teaching with excellence by providing conferences, workshops and one-on-one opportunities to generate discussion about instructional design and pedagogy.

“I am honored to have been asked to serve in this capacity,” Shemberger said.