PennWest Promotes 22 Faculty Members
PennWest has promoted 22 of its faculty for the 2025-2026 academic year. Among those promoted are one faculty member to assistant professor, 12 to associate professors, and nine to full professors.
Dr. Jennifer Camille Dempsey, Professor of Educational Technologies and Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, was among those promoted. She said, "Earning the rank of full professor with this recent promotion is a deeply meaningful milestone. It represents more than just years of teaching, scholarship, and service.”
Dr Dempsey described her teaching journey as one spanning “nearly every level, from pre-K to graduate students.”
“I’ve seen how profoundly education can shape lives,” she said.
Her recent work focuses heavily on emerging technologies, particularly how artificial intelligence is shifting culture, and how these tools can expand human creativity, support learning, and open opportunities when used thoughtfully and ethically, she said.
In a press announcement, Dr. Jim Fisher, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said, “Each faculty member honored has demonstrated excellence in their field and a deep commitment to student success and to advancing the mission of PennWest University. We are proud to recognize their achievements and grateful for their contributions to our community.”
Dr. Dempsey said her promotion is a culmination of a professional journey devoted to empowering students and educators to navigate and thrive in a world that is constantly changing.
“It’s both humbling and motivating. While this milestone marks an achievement, it’s also a reminder to keep learning, creating, and pushing boundaries to serve our students, faculty, and the wider educational community," she said.