Her mom and younger brother, Carson, a fifth grader, had left for what she thought was a normal doctor’s appointment. Carson had recently joined his first tackle football team and kept telling his family, “It hurts when I get hit.” They teased him at first, but his insistence that “it hurts on the inside” sent him to a doctor and, later that day, the hospital.

Lasher didn’t know any of this. What she did know was that her grandmother picked her up from school – strange. Then her dad was already home – stranger. When she walked in the door, her family sat silently on the couch.

It would take three years and ultimately Carson’s passing before she fully understood the scope of his diagnosis. Carson had a rare germ cell tumor that fewer than 10 people had ever had worldwide.

Lasher holds tightly to her memories of Carson, the way a big sister does. She remembers his thick Southern accent, even though they were from Indiana, and how kind he was to his classmates. She even hopes parts of his personality live on in her, especially his sense of humor.

“I would never admit this to him, but he was really funny in a very sarcastic way,” she said. “Sometimes people pick up on my humor and say, ‘Oh, that’s really funny,’ but it’s not truly mine. I picked it up from him.”

The day Carson died, Lasher remembers when it was finally time to leave the hospital, her dad looked at her, lost.

“We had to start making our way out, and Dad was just standing there looking like, ‘What do we do now?’” Lasher said. “I’m like, ‘Well, what else can we do but do good?’”

That commitment led to the creation of the Carson E. Lasher Foundation, which supports families facing pediatric cancer and other childhood illnesses. It also led Carly to raiseRED.

raiseRED is UofL’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, supporting the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute and the UofL School of Medicine. As part of the Miracle Network Dance Marathon, raiseRED connects students to a national movement dedicated to fighting pediatric illness.

The group’s yearlong fundraising culminated in a 12-hour dance marathon on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Swain Student Activities Center. This year, the Cardinal community raised more than $470,000 in��support of the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute and the UofL School of Medicine.��.��

For her, the organization’s purpose is simple.

“We get a group of over 500 college kids together to fight for something that’s bigger than themselves,” said Lasher, who leads UofL’s raiseRED as its programming director. “We bring everyone together for this common goal of making good in our world.”

Lasher believes Carson would be proud of her work and her college career as a criminal justice major in the . Set to attend law school in the fall, she imagines he would have joined her at UofL. Today, she continues to honor him through raiseRED, the foundation and the bracelet he once wore that she now keeps with her every day.

“We just try to keep doing good in his name,” Lasher said.

And she does.

Watch the video:

Want to participate in raiseRED? or .

Updated Feb. 23, 2026

“You can hear rapids before you get to them or sometimes see them,” he said. “You start to think how you’re going to get through them, and then you turn the corner and get through them. It’s sort of similar to life.”

Sloan’s journey began at Princeton University in the 1960s. After two years, he had to withdraw to help out his family business. Like the river he describes, life continued to ebb and flow. He took courses at Butler University, changed jobs, took courses at Indiana University, changed jobs again – but never finished his degree.

Now at 83, UofL is giving him that opportunity.

This December, Sloan will graduate with a bachelor’s degree thanks to the . In Kentucky, students 65 and older can take a select number of classes for free at any state-supported institution within the commonwealth.

The world has changed drastically since Sloan began college. He remembers the first personal computers that ran on punch cards. Now, he’s finishing his degree entirely .

But for Sloan, earning his degree isn’t just about checking a box. He spent most of his life as a crafts salesman, traveling and selling fabric, yarn and other art supplies. His education was an education built by doing. Those experiences, he said, enriched his academic work.

“If you like what you are doing, you will like it more after becoming better educated,” Sloan said. “It’s a good way to improve yourself, learn how to do a better job and become a better person.”

Sloan says continuing to learn – at any age – is part of what keeps him energized.

“I think it makes you happier because you’re learning about the world,” he said.

He often thinks of a quote from actress Olivia de Havilland, who lived to be 104. When asked the secret to a long life, she replied: “love, laughter, learning… and stairs.”

“That’s always stuck with me,” Sloan said. “����ֱ�� is important. It’s a good thing to remember.”

Sloan will graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences with a , with interdisciplinary studies in communications, creative expression and humanities. His communications courses taught him some of the theory behind his job as a salesman.

“It’s not just the words when we communicate,” he said. “It’s the gestures, the body language.”

Better yet, Sloan is just as much a part of campus and the Louisville community as any student. He’s an avid Cardinals sports fan, holding courtside season tickets to women’s volleyball. He also regularly attends baseball, men’s and women’s basketball games.

Sloan is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Louisville, which has more than 400 members and is the 13th-largest club among Rotary International’s 45,000 clubs. The club sponsors scholarships, hosts guest speakers and supports humanitarian efforts.

“It’s a bunch of do-gooders doing good in the community,” he said.

Sloan has watched more than a dozen graduations of his children and grandchildren over the years. On Dec. 12, many of them will come to watch him take his turn. And when the moment comes to cross the stage and receive his diploma, he said one emotion comes to mind: happiness.

“I’ll be very happy,” he said. “And I think I might even continue taking courses here after.”

At the University of Louisville, some Cardinals follow those migratory birds’ patterns and fly away once they leave the school’s nest, returning to home states or embarking on exciting adventures in new cities. But many UofL Cardinals stick around Kentucky and focus on ways to make a difference right here in the commonwealth.

Whether near or far, every Cardinal makes the personal and academic journey to become a champion for their community. For many, the journey to keep moving forward never ends. That’s why we’ve assembled this micro playlist inspired by the momentum and spirit of that journey and are introducing you to five Cardinals who influenced each track.

Meet them now, click through to explore more of their stories and set your Cardinal playlist for the summer.

Track One: “1234” by Feist

To some, data is just numbers. But to alumnus Danial Malik ’15, ’22, ’25, those numbers tell human stories. With a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), master of public health in epidemiology from the School of Public Health and Information Sciences and master of science in business analytics–health analytics from the College of Business, the first-generation immigrant from Pakistan has found his purpose in using data to improve lives in the commonwealth.

Malik combines his technical prowess with compassion to use analytics that identify health care gaps in patient communities across Louisville. His work highlights how technology, when paired with empathy, creates healthier and happier communities.

Track Two: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel

The anthropology department’s Chloe Hale ’24 came west to UofL from Martin County, a rural area in eastern Kentucky along the West Virginia border. Hale’s Appalachian community suffers from regular access to clean drinking water due to factors such as infrastructure and mining contamination, leading her to feel a sense of guilt when she was a student in an urban center with safe, easily accessed water always a twist-of-a-knob away.

Hale took her feelings and used them as fuel to focus her studies on an anthropological exploration of Martin County’s water supply and local hairdressers who rely on clean water to make a living, showcasing the impact water insecurity has on Kentucky communities and inspiring others to help make a difference.

Read more about Hale’s hometown hairstylists project here.

Track Three: “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

The idea of community wasn’t something Ben Donlon ’12, ’16 learned in a textbook – but it was taught to him by his parents, both educators in his Danville, Kentucky, home. As Donlon journeyed to UofL to earn his undergraduate degree from A&S and professional master of business administration from the College of Business, the commitment to service they instilled stuck to him like glue.

After years of experience with nonprofits and success-nurturing leadership, and as the current 2024-2025 president of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville, Donlon is fostering leadership and connection among emerging young professionals around the city – proving that the best way to help a community grow is to plant strong roots.

Track Four: “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree

Philosophy major Tanisha Ann Hickerson ’03 graduated from UofL with a bachelor’s degree from A&S, but her lifelong philosophy has been one of community involvement. Hickerson, a former attorney and now Jefferson County district court judge, has dedicated her personal and professional life to serving others – both in and outside the courtroom. Whether mentoring students or young professionals in Louisville, she pushes those around her to realize their protentional and see how their work helps others.

Honored as philosophy department’s 2025 Outstanding Alumni, Hickerson shows that when you participate in your community you not only make a difference, but you also open doors for impactful career opportunities.

Track Five: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers

Typically, we go to doctors. But thanks to School of Medicine alumna and Department of Medicine assistant professor Bridget Hittepole ’06, we go with doctors as part of Walk with a Doc. Hittepole leads the Louisville chapter of the program, which welcomes everyone of any age or ability to walk or roll their way to better health. The monthly, family-friendly event helps community members connect with health care professionals outside the four walls of an office.

Recognized as a 2025 Health Care Hero by Louisville Business First, Hittepole embodies the passion for bettering the Louisville community through health and wellness initiatives that improve care access for all.

Committed to advancing the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) community, the SOA is focused on a strategy to build a STEMM workforce that reflects the culturally rich, innovative and diverse talent pool of the United States.

SOA has engaged hundreds of partners to implement STEMM Equity and Excellence 2050: A National Strategy for Progress and Prosperity, with the goal of helping 20 million people from historically excluded and marginalized communities enter, contribute to and thrive within STEMM fields.

For UofL, this is a transformative effort that includes the College of Arts & Sciences, College of ����ֱ�� & Human Development, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, and School of Medicine in networking with national foundations, companies and the federal government to offer scholarships and expand the opportunity for STEMM careers to more students.

“For too long, many students have had to swim upstream to pursue careers in STEMM and UofL is joining the vital effort to seek fundamental, systemic change. Complex problems require multifaceted, creative, and innovative solutions, which are best addressed with diverse teams bringing distinct perspectives to achieve scientific excellence,” said James Orlick, director of grant writing and innovation for UofL’s Office of Institutional Equity. “Equity and excellence are connected.”

In a recent study , researchers Khushboo Patel, Judith Danovitch, and Nick Noles showed 257 preschool and elementary school-aged kids pictures of different adults and asked them who would know more about science and from whom they would want to learn.

While other factors, such as the adults’ race, didn’t seem to play any significant role in the kids’ opinions, gender did — they overwhelmingly chose the adult who had the same gender as them. That is, boys thought the men would know more about science, and girls thought women would.

“This marks a significant shift in children’s thinking, where girls are starting to see women as knowledgeable about science and want to learn science from them,” said Patel, a fourth year Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, part of UofL’s College of Arts and Sciences. “This may eventually help girls envision themselves as doing science, too.”

Understanding the cause of that shift could help address the gender gap in STEM — or, science, technology, engineering and math. Although that gap has narrowed significantly over the past decade, as of 2021, . For reference, Patel said, past studies done around a decade ago found most kids saw men as more capable of doing science than women, regardless of their own gender.��

Representation is likely a critical factor in driving that shift, Danovitch said. Young girls and boys alike are seeing more examples of female scientists in their lives and in popular culture — think Doc McStuffins and Ada Twist Scientist.

“It used to be that STEM was seen as being just for boys,“ said Danovitch, a professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences. “You could see that in media or walking down the toy aisle. But today, girls are starting to see women as knowledgeable about science.”��

For parents and educators, Patel said, this shift presents an opportunity to help girls engage in STEM if they wish to. That might mean providing examples of different kinds of people who are scientists, introducing girls to women in science careers, and avoiding even well-intentioned gendered language when talking about science.��

“For example, saying ‘girls are just as good as boys at science’ just affirms that boys set the standard,” she said. “Overall, we hope this research serves as a reminder of the importance of representation in science education. Anyone can be a scientist if they want to be.”��

Four years ago, Jim Walls drove nearly 500-miles from Fayetteville, Georgia, to begin his freshman year at the University of Louisville. Prior to arriving on campus, Walls was acquainted only with his future roommate from Maryland, whom he had briefly interacted with on Instagram over the summer.

Even though he was far from home, Walls’ strong desire to connect with the UofL community proved invaluable during his first year. He actively sought out opportunities to get involved, which ultimately helped him find his place on campus.

“I had to come in with the mindset of being at a disadvantage because I’m from so far away,” said Walls. “But I knew if I put myself out there and got involved in different organizations, I’d be able to make my own friends and find groups of people to interact with.”

Walls was drawn to UofL because of the pre-dentistry program, . UofL School of Dentistry offers early admission opportunities to exceptional high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to pursue a lifelong career in dentistry. As a pre-dental student, Walls was able to take a class at the School of Dentistry called “Introduction to Dentistry.” His favorite part was doing community service work with the school.

“There’s one instance where we went over to Seneca High School and actually were teaching some students about oral hygiene and handing out toothbrushes and other items,” he said. “That was a very enriching experience I’ve really taken to heart and is something I’ll always use as motivation going forward in my career.”

Walls became interested in the field of dentistry in elementary school when his family dentist discovered a tumor in his mom’s throat during a normal check-up.

“It ended up being something that potentially changed and saved her life, so from an early age I’ve always thought very highly of my dentist,” Walls said.

Walls, a biology student graduating from the , plans to attend dental school after graduation.

From Kenya to Kentucky

Ibrahim Henry Peterson, an international student in the , found his passion for the field through his upbringing in an orphanage in Kenya.

“Growing up without parents and going to school was not an easy experience. I faced many challenges, but it also taught me resilience and the value of hard work,” he said. “These experiences have deeply influenced my desire to make a positive impact on others’ lives.”

One of Peterson’s biggest adjustments as a student was the differences in cultural and academic environments. He vividly remembers doing poorly on his first exam.

“Despite my disappointing performance, every teacher congratulated me on my effort and encouraged me to keep studying hard. They all believed in my potential, which was a stark contrast to my experiences back home,” Peterson said. “Their support and belief in me inspired me to persevere and improve.”

After graduation, Peterson is considering a career as either a nurse anesthetist or a medical doctor. His goal is to start a clinic in his Kenyan community to provide much-needed health care services and give back to the area where he grew up.

Reflecting on his time at UofL, Peterson advises incoming international students to view challenges as opportunities for personal and academic growth.

“Don’t hesitate to seek help from academic advisors, tutors, and counseling services whenever needed,” Peterson said. “Practicing your English regularly will also enhance your communication skills. Exploring the city of Louisville can offer a well-rounded experience, so take the time to enjoy what it has to offer. And lastly, prioritize your health and well-being to maintain a balanced and successful academic life.”��

“Getting a foot into the door, into a field that you don’t even know that you like, can change everything,” said Gibson, a senior in the . “I didn’t know this field that even existed before meeting Dr. Rochner.”

Gibson has been working in a lab for over a year researching dendrochronology – the study of measuring tree rings to establish age of historic trees. By analyzing the distinctive patterns of tree rings in living and dead trees, she can create a detailed record of environmental conditions and help date archaeological sites.

“It’s crucial because it can confirm construction dates and accurately determine the archaeological timbes and artifacts,” she said. “It can also help confirm the history of different people.”

Gibson’s summer research project has two parts. The first part is dating samples from the various structures such as the Riverside Planation in Louisville. The second part is a literature review on how dendrochronologists discuss the legacies of slavery in their work and how the dendrochronology can be used as a tool to tell lost stories.

“No matter what, you are dealing with this uncomfortable history. We are complicit in this work unless we say something and unless we are active in doing something about it,” said Gibson. “This is going to be an on-going project through my senior year because if I’m going to do this, I really want to do it well.”

Twenty-nine students are participating in UofL’s (SROP). SROP provides University of Louisville undergraduate students an intensive 10-week research experience with a faculty mentor in any discipline.

Dominic Laduke, a geography student in the , participated in summer research to explore his passion of meteorology.

“Getting to college and seeing all the research that goes into the different products that we use for meteorology really interested me and I knew that I wanted to do something like that,” Laduke said.

His project focuses on simulating how severe weather interacts with cities. By creating a detailed computer model of a virtual city, complete with increased roughness to represent buildings and changes in temperature to reflect the urban heat island effect, Laduke’s research examines the impact of aerosols – tiny particles suspended in the air – on these weather events.

Traditionally, research on severe weather and cities has relied on observations of past events. Laduke’s project uses computer modeling to create simulations, providing a deeper look into why these interactions happen. This research could lead to more accurate forecasts.

“The main goal of all of this research is to keep people informed and safe,” he said.

Some SROP students are even taking their research global. Gunnar Goshorn, a fine arts and liberal studies student in the , developed an intensive art program at the University of Rome.

Goshorn’s artistic journey began with a performance art experience that sparked a passion for the experimental and the essence of art. This curiosity led him to take a chance and reach out to a professor, a decision that blossomed into a collaborative summer research project.

“What really got me to reach out to my professor was just how open she was in the classroom. I just sent her an email saying I found a scholarship and would really love to try and create an opportunity not only for myself but for her as well,” he said. “A huge part of the creative identity is building connections and the most beautiful thing about those connections is that they can be built between any two creatives.”

UofL’s diverse environment also played a significant role in Goshorn’s desire for research. From professors with a traditional appreciation for art to classmates with a range of backgrounds and identities, UofL has provided a playground of experiences and perspectives for him. This exposure has not only shaped Gunnar’s artistic identity but also solidified his commitment to staying and building a community within Kentucky.��

“UofL has been a hundred percent the right choice for me because I don’t think I would have had this experience or anything like this at any other school,” Goshorn said.

Funded by the NSF, a nearly is helping UofL cultivate environmentally conscious educators to equip students with knowledge of Louisville’s environmental issues and promote a more just and sustainable city.

Eight JCPS teachers participated in a six-week summer program where they partnered with UofL faculty in their urban-based ecological research. Mackenzie Kuhns, a Waggener High School chemistry teacher, collaborated with UofL Biology professor Mikus Abolins-Abols to study how Louisville’s urban heat island effects its robins.

“I didn’t like biology very much before I started this,” said Kuhns, who has previously participated in RET programs at UofL. “I have an appreciation now when learning about field work and different career opportunities for my students. When doing these programs, I always have something fun to bring back to them.”

For some teachers, it was their first lab or research project. Justin McFadden, an associate professor in the and one of the principal investigators of the grant, said this experience with UofL researchers strengthens their teaching.

“Learning what research is and what can happen during research helps our teachers think about what their students are capable of in classrooms,” McFadden said. “That’s one of the hidden things that come to life when you’ve been working in a lab for six weeks.”

The second part of the institute was to create curriculum support pieces that the teachers can weave into the established JCPS science curriculum.

Erin Brock, a biology teacher at Seneca High School, said the program opened her eyes to all kinds of environmental issues she was unaware of previously and by bringing in local examples, her students will be more engaged throughout the year.

“We learned that Louisville is the fifth most air polluted city in the nation. And I was like, ‘What the heck?’,” said Brock, a first-year participant in a RET program at UofL. “Our cohort has talked about how we don’t want to be all doom and gloom. We want to show students the activists working to address these issues. Some of these neighborhoods that are more affected by environmental issues are not able to have a voice for various reasons and we want our students to know that and to speak up.”

Teachers seeing themselves as agents of changes is one of the primary goals of the program, according to Linda Fuselier, chair of the and one of the principal investigators of the grant.

“Learning about pollution, in and of itself, can just be depressing and boring,” Fuselier said. “But when you put it into the context of here are some activists right down the road from you who are working to interpret the science so that communities understand what is going on with these big industries and regulating authorities, it can make the content hit home.”

During the school year, teachers will receive ongoing support through professional development sessions and a collaborative network designed to foster curriculum sharing, continued research and teacher leadership.

The NSF grant will fund the program for an additional two years to train a total of 24 teachers. Applications for the summer 2025 cohort will open in the spring.

“This is absolutely the best training I’ve ever had as a teacher, to make me a better teacher. I feel like I have so much to bring to the classroom this year that I want to get the kids kind of hyped up about. I’m very thankful for UofL for offering this program,” said Brock.

The UofL Fulbright winners were awarded grants to teach English abroad in Turkey, Thailand, Moldova, Spain, Jordan, Taiwan and Germany.

The��Fulbright Program, administered by the Department of State’s Bureau of ����ֱ��al and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.

Since 2001, UofL has been a Fulbright powerhouse, producing 175 scholars (the most in Kentucky) and earning national recognition seven times.

Those receiving ��are:

• Medina Aslan��’24, , of Krymsk, Russia, to Turkey.
• Julia Barclay��’22, ’24, of Union, Ky., to��Thailand.
• Beverly Granger ’18, ’24, College of Arts and Sciences, of Louisville, Ky., to Moldova.
• Olivia Hanke ’24,��of Louisville, Ky., to Spain.
• Anna Hylen��’23,��, of Wilmore, Ky., to Jordan.
• Kaitlyn Purcell ’24, ,��of Georgetown, Ky., to Taiwan.
• Abigail Stanger ’24, College of Arts and Sciences, of Gilbertsville, to Germany.

In addition to the teaching assistantships, sophomores Alexandria Ipock-Groves, College of Arts and Sciences, of Madisonville, Ky., and Saadhavi Maskey, , of Lexington, Ky., were selected as recipients of the . Participants experience an academic program at a United Kingdom university and explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK.

Other prestigious scholars

Three UofL students were awarded . The Boren Awards provide students in all fields of study with funding for immersive study abroad in languages and regions of interest to U.S. national security.

Awardees include the following graduate students:

• Yelena Bagdasaryan, School of Public Health & Information Sciences, will study Czech in the Czech Republic
• Alexis Daniel, College of Arts and Sciences, will study Portuguese in Brazil; and
• Mikaella Tanales, College of Arts and Sciences, will study Mandarin in Taiwan

Four students were awarded the from the U.S. Department of State. The CLS program provides opportunities for overseas language and cultural immersion in critical languages that are essential to the United States’ engagement with the world.

CLS recipients are:

• Kamal Amirneni, senior, College of Arts and Sciences, of Aldie, Va.
• Ryan Apperson��’24, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business
• Laura Hanna, senior, College of Arts and Sciences
• Rehan Kahloon, senior, College of Arts and Sciences,��of Louisville, Ky.

Other students also earned unique honors and opportunities.

Forest Clevenger ’22,��College of Arts and Sciences,��of Louisville, Ky., was awarded the

Eden Baize, senior, College of Arts and Sciences, was selected as the recipient of the This scholarship promotes the advancement of knowledge in an expanding global community.

Edler Jonhatan, senior, was awarded fellowship, an academic preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers.

And, two students received scholarships the university had never been awarded before.

Shraddha Patel��’24, College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the FAO Schwarz Fellowship. The selective fellowship provides an intensive two-year experience where participants hone their leadership development and professional skills to pursue careers in social impact.

Afi Tagnedji��’23, was selected for the which brings together graduate students from various disciplines across Stanford University.

More on these scholars and winners of other prestigious academic scholarships can be found at��

Through the Ascending Star Fellowship program, the partners with academic units to accelerate scholarship and promote the national reputation of exceptional mid-career researchers. During the year long program, the fellows work with an external mentor and are coached through an ambitious project that moves their scholarship to the next level of development.����

This year’s class — representing four schools — includes:

• Faisal Aqlan, , whose work focuses on automation, process improvement, engineering education, and sensor-based virtual reality for manufacturing and healthcare applications.��
• Daniel Bennett, whose work focuses on how environmental change influences entrepreneurship and innovation, and the implications for regional and national economic development.
• Melanie Gast, , whose work focuses on race, class, and gender in higher education.
• Omid Ghasemi Fare, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, whose work focuses on geothermal energy, thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling and characterization of soils, unsaturated soil, heat and mass transport in porous media, transportation geotechnics and geotechnical earthquake engineering.��
• Meg Hancock, , whose work focuses on gender and diversity in sport organizations, career development in sport and sport and social change.��
• Elizabeth Munnich, College of Business, whose work focuses on developing and evaluating strategies for improving health and reducing healthcare spending by more efficiently and effectively utilizing healthcare resources.
• Noppadon Sathitsuksanoh, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, whose work focuses on converting carbon feedstocks from plant biomass, waste plastics and carbon dioxide into advanced fuels, biomaterials and battery components.
• Siobhan Smith-Jones, College of Arts and Sciences, whose work focuses on exploring African American women as interpretive communities and, through the fellowship program, on Black horror television.
• Ian Stansel, College of Arts and Sciences, director of UofL’s Creative Writing Program and fiction/non-fiction writer.��

“I’m ecstatic to work with this year’s cohort and help further their already stellar careers and scholarship,” said M. Cynthia Logsdon,��associate vice president for research and innovation, who leads the fellowship program. “They’re already ‘stars,’ of course, but our goal is to help them shine even brighter.”��

To be considered for the program, faculty must be associate professor rank, must be nominated by their unit and must show a “consistent record of scholarship with the passion and desire to achieve greater national recognition.”��