Committing to Student and Faculty Success
Dr. Elisabeth Sherwin’s service has been demonstrated through her work with the Institutional Review Board (IRB); student scholarships and fellowships; new faculty orientation in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; and a grassroots movement focusing on the needs of women who survived a traumatic brain injury.
She began serving as IRB chair in 2007 during a transition period, requiring the development of new policies and procedures and communicating the changes to the campus. In her role, she reviews approximately 100 protocols a year. Her efforts bolster UA Little Rock’s mission to increase research efforts, according to Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, associate professor of sociology.
For six years, Sherwin has coordinated post-baccalaureate scholarships and fellowships by identifying students who qualify to contend for fellowships such as the Marshall, Fulbright, Rhodes, Madison, Goldwater, and The Washington Center. She mentors students through the process. In 2010-11, she placed 22 students with The Washington Center, which provides internships in Washington, D.C.
“Her record of successes in a very challenging and highly competitive arena is truly remarkable,” said Dr. Jerry Stevenson, associate vice chancellor for Extended Programs and International Affairs.
“She has put UA Little Rock on the map by helping students win scholarships and grants for which UA Little Rock students had not previously been competitive,” Dr. Moira Maguire, associate professor of history, said.
Estes said that Sherwin has improved transition experiences for new faculty in her college by implementing an orientation program to help them learn about UA Little Rock and providing a peer group for the pre-tenure years. Dr. Rebecca Glazier in the political science department said the efforts helped her get a Faculty Summer Research Grant and accepted in the University of Graz Faculty Exchange Program.
Related to her research, analyzing data to address issues for women with traumatic brain injury, she personally funded the development of a website to provide information on the topic and results of the studies. The CEO and medical director of the Concussion Care Center of Virginia said Sherwin has been “a strong advocate for bringing greater understanding and science to the discussion of the myriad issues confronting females with brain injury.”
Sherwin has taught at UA Little Rock for nine years. She earned a B.A. degree in psychology and English literature from Barllan University in Ramat Gan, Israel in 1985, and an M.S. degree in clinical psychology in 1991, and a Ph.D. in social psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1994.