ASU West recently acquired a new addition to their front office as they named Manuel Avalos, a professor of politics, as associate vice provost for research and faculty development.
Avalos originally applied for the position a year ago and was asked to take it over by West Provost Elaine Maimon when Avalos's predecessor, Alberto Pulido, became a guest professor at Brown University.
"I applied for the position because I've been involved in faculty development at a number of different levels such as professional organizations and at the College of Arts and Sciences," Avalos said.
Avalos will now direct and monitor internal grants for research on the west campus as well as assist in the development of research programs for faculty on campus. He will help faculty in developing research proposals to get external grants from federal agencies to aid in research project funding.
Avalos will also find different ways to help faculty develop within the University, such as assisting professors with promotions, developing their teaching and research skills, and helping new faculty get acclimated to the campus.
He has also been greatly involved with the west campus's first-ever freshman class, which began this year, by holding seminars with faculty interested in teaching lower division courses.
Currently, he serves in the American Political Sciences Association as the co-chair of the Chicano Political Science Caucus.
Even with his new duties, Avalos will maintain a teaching role on the west campus by continuing to teach Latino Politics and teaching Political Futures through Science Fiction in the spring. In the past, Avalos has taught such courses as American National Government.
"Provost Avalos has a good sense for understanding the needs of research and the importance of the role research plays in teaching and in the University functioning," said Paul Miller, department chair of social and behavioral sciences.
"He also has a strong background in issues of diversity and he has a number of connections with professional associations."
Avalos assumed his new position for this academic school year Aug. 1. He has been a member of the ASU West faculty since 1990.
Reach Christopher Drexel at christopher.drexel@asu.edu.
