Tongue joins the College in a new position that will identify, recruit, and mentor students who seek national awards, scholarships and fellowships. She also will direct internships for academic credit.
“Just preparing for one of the prestigious scholarships or fellowships is a great learning experience for students,” she said. “It's a chance for them to thoroughly explore their vision of themselves and their vision for the world. So win or lose, the process is a springboard to new opportunities.”
Tongue recently attended the annual meeting of the National Association of Fellowship Advisors, and she is shepherding two students through the Fulbright Scholarship application process.
A Niskayuna resident, she earned her bachelor's degree in physics with a fine arts concentration from Clarkson University and a master's in physics with an astronomy concentration from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. She has extensive experience working at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as director of the College of Engineering Student Leadership Center and, more recently, at the Archer Center for Student Leadership Development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Union students have received a number of prestigious national awards, including 44 Watson Fellowships for a year of post-graduate international study and six Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships in support of outstanding students destined for doctoral study.
Among other recent appointments in Academic Affairs:
Melinda Lawson, visiting assistant professor of history, has been named assistant director of advising. For the past several years, she has been helping advise undeclared majors and transfer students. In her expanded role, she will assist with retention efforts, the organization of theme majors, special student support services and advising assessments.
Christine Henseler, assistant professor of Spanish, has been appointed associate director of academic programs. She will work with Dean for Undergraduate Education Kimmo Rosenthal as the General Education Board implements the new GenEd program. She also will assist with recruitment of faculty, student pre-registration for the sophomore seminar and clusters, and advising.