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FREDERICK, Md., – Three 91��Ƶר�� College faculty members have been awarded promotion and/or tenure by the Board of Trustees following the board’s annual March meeting. Faculty selected to receive promotion and/or tenure have demonstrated exceptional capabilities as educators as well as a lived commitment to the College’s mission.

Approved for promotion:

• Marisel Torres-Crespo, Ph.D., promotion to professor of early childhood education

• Tamelyn Tucker-Worgs, Ph.D., promotion to professor of political science

Approved for promotion and tenure:

• Jiang Li, Ph.D., tenure and promotion to associate professor of computer science

"Drs. Li, Torres-Crespo, and Tucker-Worgs are exceptional teacher-scholars who have collectively contributed new knowledge to their respective academic fields,” said Paige Eager, interim provost at 91��Ƶר��. “They have all worked to include students in their own research endeavors and are fantastic, collaborative colleagues who contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of our campus community. These faculty have exceeded 91��Ƶר��'s criteria for tenure and promotion and exemplify 91��Ƶר��'s core values of hope, opportunity, obligation, and democracy both inside and outside of their classrooms."

Jiang Li, Ph.D.

Li’s teaching emphasizes student-centered learning, continuous improvement and real-world relevance. Li is recognized by his students for “clear explanations, organization, engagement and interest in students’ success.” Since 2019, Li has mentored 33 students, guiding them in academic and career development, with many securing full-time positions via internships. Li also contributes to several committees and participates in numerous faculty development initiatives on campus.

Li’s research focuses on computer science education, particularly introducing “computational thinking” to teachers in Frederick County. He has secured approximately $200K in grants, and his research has been published in reputable journals such as “The Journal of Computing Science in Colleges” and “IEEE CPS.”

Marisel Torres-Crespo, Ph.D.

Torres-Crespo has served as a member of the faculty at 91��Ƶר�� since 2012 and was previously promoted to associate professor in 2018. Her research has taken her to international education conferences held in Paris, France, and Athens, Greece, and has covered a wide range of topics, from building confidence in computational education to the importance of teaching coding at early ages. 

Torres-Crespo also served as the coordinator of online instruction during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, leading 91��Ƶר��’s faculty through an unprecedented time in higher education history. Torres-Crespo also serves as 91��Ƶר��’s liaison to the Georgetown Hill Lab School and is the program director for 91��Ƶר��’s graduate curriculum and instruction program.

Tamelyn Tucker-Worgs, Ph.D.

Tucker-Worgs joined the 91��Ƶר�� faculty in 2002 and has demonstrated an impressive ability to contribute to multiple programs, including first-year seminar, political science, African American studies, women and gender studies, and philosophy and religion. Tucker-Worgs’ research and publications, such as “The Black Megachurch: Theology, Gender and the Politics of Public Engagement,” have received both critical and academic acclaim, as she is a recipient of the DuBois Distinguished Book Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. 

Tucker-Worgs’ contributions to 91��Ƶר�� continue beyond the classroom, as she acts as both a formal and informal adviser to numerous student-led programs and clubs. Tucker-Worgs was selected by members of the senior class to speak at 91��Ƶר��’s 128th Commencement Ceremony this May.

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