{"id":8048,"date":"2024-11-21T18:34:07","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T18:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/?p=8048"},"modified":"2024-11-21T18:34:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T18:34:08","slug":"journey-in-academia-a-conversation-with-dr-tom-faulkenberry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/2024\/11\/21\/journey-in-academia-a-conversation-with-dr-tom-faulkenberry\/","title":{"rendered":"Journey in Academia: A Conversation with Dr. Tom Faulkenberry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Meet Dr. Tom Faulkenberry, a dedicated academic and the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Tarleton State University, who is entering his 12th year at the institution. With a deep-seated passion for both education and research, he has a unique story of how his early love for teaching math evolved into a fulfilling academic career. In this blog post, we\u2019ll delve into Dr. Faulkenberry’s motivations, his academic journey, and his goals for the future of Tarleton State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Dreams of being a High School Math Teacher to Professor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Faulkenberry\u2019s academic journey began with an unexpected twist. Initially aspiring to become a high school math teacher, he found himself captivated by the thrill of research during his undergraduate years. One memorable moment was when he posed a challenging question to his calculus professor, who didn\u2019t have an immediate answer. Together, they spent nearly an hour grappling with the problem\u2014a transformative experience that introduced Dr. Faulkenberry to the world of academic research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Encouraged by the support and guidance of his professors at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Dr. Faulkenberry realized that his true calling was in academia, where he could explore complex problems and think critically. This pivotal moment set him on a path to becoming a professor, allowing him to combine his love for teaching with a newfound passion for research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Move to Tarleton State University<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before joining Tarleton State, Dr. Faulkenberry and his wife, Dr. Eileen Faulkenberry (Dean of the Honors College at Tarleton State), spent a decade at Texas A&M-Commerce. Finding career opportunities for two tenured faculty members can be a challenge for academic couples, but Tarleton State offered them both a chance to thrive professionally. With its strong academic community and connection to the Texas A&M University System, Tarleton State felt like the perfect fit. \u201cIt truly felt like hitting the jackpot,\u201d he reflects on the opportunity to join Tarleton State\u2019s faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Unique Academic Specialty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Faulkenberry\u2019s field of expertise lies at the intersection of mathematical psychology and statistics. Initially focused on math cognition during his early career, he later shifted his research to statistical methods. This blend of psychology and mathematics enables him to explore how people think about numbers and data\u2014an area he finds both challenging and rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His journey in this field has been organic, led by his curiosity and a knack for tackling complex problems. Dr. Faulkenberry\u2019s work continues to impact his students, especially as he helps them grasp challenging statistical concepts and apply them in their own research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vision as Associate Dean<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Associate Dean, Dr. Faulkenberry is enthusiastic about supporting Tarleton State\u2019s growth and assisting in its pursuit of R1 status, which would establish it as a leading research institution. With the addition of new Ph.D. programs and postdoctoral roles, he is committed to helping the university navigate this period of transformation. His focus is on implementing effective policies, supporting faculty and students, and helping them tackle the challenges that come with such a monumental transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting with Students Beyond the Classroom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Faulkenberry values building meaningful relationships with his students and frequently engages with them outside of the classroom. Whether mentoring graduate students, attending university events, or catching up with students at conferences, he enjoys these moments of connection. He believes these interactions foster a supportive academic environment and allow students to share their achievements in a more personal setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Few Surprising Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Dr. Faulkenberry is widely respected for his academic accomplishments, he has some surprising experiences outside of academia. Growing up, he was part of the rodeo world as a team roper, and he even recalls once playing guitar during a bar fight! Annually, he joins his daughter on the football field to dance with Stephenville High School\u2019s Stingerettes\u2014a testament to his fun-loving spirit and commitment to family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Faulkenberry\u2019s story highlights the powerful impact of curiosity, mentorship, and a willingness to embrace change. His journey, from aspiring high school teacher to Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Tarleton State, is a testament to the importance of following one\u2019s passion and being open to new opportunities. As Tarleton State continues to evolve, Dr. Faulkenberry\u2019s leadership and dedication to student success will undoubtedly shape the university\u2019s future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meet Dr. Tom Faulkenberry, a dedicated academic and the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Tarleton State University, who is entering his 12th year at the institution. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":781,"featured_media":580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"author_meta":{"display_name":"bartelt","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/author\/bartelt\/"},"featured_img":null,"coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Uncategorized<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Uncategorized<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 1 year ago","modified":"Updated 1 year ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on November 21, 2024","modified":"Updated on November 21, 2024"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on November 21, 2024 6:34 pm","modified":"Updated on November 21, 2024 6:34 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/781"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8048"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8051,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8048\/revisions\/8051"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}