The school will use the funds to create a program that will increase dental and dental hygiene faculty at the school by providing loan repayment, mentoring and career development opportunities, according to an Aug. 20 news release. It will be used to support up to four faculty each year, who will spend at least 50 percent of their time teaching dental or dental hygiene students.
The grant comes as dental schools nationwide face a shortage of faculty because of retirement and decreased recruitment.
The program will be supported by an oversight committee consisting of three faculty members and co-directed by Shannon Wallet, PhD, associate dean for research, discovery and innovation; and Rebecca Wilder, associate dean for professional development and faculty affairs.
