Academics, Diversity, and Mentoring: Staff Transitions, New Positions

O'Mahony

Piquado

Baiocchi

May 3, 2019

Pardee RAND recently named a new assistant dean for academic affairs; created a new position to support inclusion, equity, and diversity; and welcomed back a familiar face as a second-year mentor.

Prof. Angel O’Mahony is now assistant dean, a position she will hold for a two-year, nonrenewable term.

Dean Susan Marquis explained, “Three years ago, Michael Rich and I decided the role of assistant dean for academic affairs should function as a term position. As we transition from the ‘current academic program’ to the ‘redesigned academic program,’ we believe now is a good time to involve more faculty.”

O’Mahony stepped into her new position having served as the lead for the redesign of the academic program for the past two and a half years. She currently teaches the second year core course on organizational culture and has worked closely with students on OJT and on their dissertations.

The school also created the position of inclusion, diversity, and equity advisor (IDEA) and named Tepring Piquado to the role. She will work closely with the deans to “improve upon a culture at Pardee RAND that values diversity, equity, and inclusivity,” Dean Marquis explained. Piquado will be developing workshops, facilitating discussion groups, and advising on other programming. She will continue to provide one-on-one mentoring to students and will oversee faculty who participate in Pardee RAND’s first-year mentoring program.

“We’re excited that Tepring will be helping to guide us toward an ever-evolving, globally focused, diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment,” Marquis added.

Finally, Dave Baiocchi, a longtime dissertation workshop professor, will be taking on a new mentoring role at the school. Baiocchi will advise students as they move into dissertation status and once they have a dissertation committee. He will share new methods and approaches to link students’ longer-term, post-graduate objectives and aspirations to their dissertation. Additionally, he will be working with the deans to develop mentoring programs that support the school’s redesign.