Five Women Faculty Members Who Are Taking on New Assignments

Mary Billstrand has been named chair of the department of anesthesiology in the College of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, effective April 1. She has been serving as a professor and the executive anesthesiologist director of surgical services in the department of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Billstrand holds a bachelor’s degree in parmedicine from Central Washington University. She holds a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education as well as medical degree from the University of New Mexico.

Candis Watts Smith, an associate professor of political science at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, has been given additional duties as interim vice provost for undergraduate education. She joined the faculty in 2021 after teaching at Pennsylvania State University. Her research examines the influence of race and ethnicity in shaping citizens’ identities, political attitudes, and policy preferences. Dr. Smith is the author or editor of several books including Black Mosaic: The Politics of Black Pan-Ethnic Diversity (New York University Press, 2014).

Dr. Smith earned bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees at Duke University.

Anna Zajicek was appointed vice provost for faculty affairs at the University of Arkansas. She has been a faculty member in the department of sociology and criminology for more than 25 years.. Earlier, Dr. Zajicek was associate dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the university.

Dr. Zajicek earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology at the University of Silesia in Poland. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Kristin Richards was named director of the bachelor of social work degree program at Jackson State University in Mississippi. She most recently served as associate vice president of Future Energy Solutions in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Earlier, she was an associate professor in the master of social work degree program at Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University.

Dr. Richards holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Belmont University in Nashville. She earned a master of social work degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in social work from Florida State University.

Candice Bauer was appointed assistant dean for assessment, compliance and evaluation in the College of Engineering at the University of Nevada. She has been serving as director of student affairs and assessment and is an associate teaching professor in the college. She joined the faculty at the university in 2003.

Dr. Bauer holds a bachelor’s degree in mechancial engineering and a master’s degree in education from the University of Nevada. She earned a second master’s degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from the University of California, Davis and a Ph.D. in engineering and industrial management from  Keller Williams University.