Jason Organ has been appointed executive director of the Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching at Indiana University. Known as FACET, the academy honors outstanding teaching faculty from across the university and promotes exemplary teaching and learning practices.

Jason Organ. Photo provided by Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching Organ is an associate professor of anatomy, cell biology and physiology at the IU School of Medicine. He succeeds Michael Morrone, teaching professor of business communication in the Kelley School of Business at IU Bloomington, who has directed FACET since 2016. Organ’s appointment is effective July 1.

“I am thrilled that Jason Organ has accepted the role of executive director, FACET’s first director from the School of Medicine,” said Danielle Buehrer, IU associate vice president for enterprise effectiveness and accreditation. “Since his induction into FACET in 2021, Jason has become an integral part of the community, actively engaging in campus-level activities and serving as associate director. He exudes enthusiasm for FACET’s mission and eagerness to nurture future successes and impact.”

The IU executive search team coordinated the search and three-round interview process. The first round involved a university-wide committee of academy members, chaired by Marcia Dixson, campus associate director for FACET Fort Wayne and professor of communication at Purdue University Fort Wayne.

The second round was conducted with FACET Executive Committee members, and the final round included Buehrer and IU Bloomington Provost and Executive Vice President Rahul Shrivastav, who also serves as chair of the Academic Leadership Council.

“FACET’s commitment to teaching excellence is an essential part of IU’s academic mission, and we’re excited to welcome Jason as its new executive director,” Shrivastav said. “The Academic Leadership Council values its strong partnership with FACET, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration and supporting innovative approaches that enhance student learning and faculty development.”

Organ has a Ph.D. in functional anatomy and evolution from Johns Hopkins University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in anthropology from the University of Missouri. A faculty member with the IU School of Medicine since 2012, he has earned several teaching awards and a reputation for excellence in the scholarship of teaching learning.

In late 2022, he was appointed editor-in-chief of Anatomical Sciences Education, which he expects to continue through the end of 2032.

“I am excited to contribute to FACET’s growth by building on the achievements of our members and my predecessors,” Organ said. “With its strong foundation, FACET will continue to be a valuable resource for excellence in teaching and success in learning.”

FACET is a collective voice of teaching excellence, student learning and inclusivity across all campuses. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, Organ aims to advance the quality of teaching and learning through evidence-based practices and the incorporation of inclusive principles, ensuring that FACET remains at the forefront of education excellence and inclusivity. To align with the academy’s 2023 strategic plan, he will focus on three key priorities:

• Ensure equity in FACET’s recruitment, selection process and membership community.
• Advance the quality of teaching and learning through the dissemination of evidence-based practices and the enhancement of the academy’s scholarly publications.
• Focus on growing the external support of FACET’s commitment to teaching excellence, including by leveraging his extensive experience and success in securing both internal and external funding.

Organ will welcome the newest members at an induction ceremony during the 37th annual FACET Retreat on May 19. Since its inception in 1989, the academy has inducted close to 800 members following a selection process that relies on rigorous peer review. Beginning this year, it also invites recipients of the president’s Distinguished Teaching Awards to join FACET following a streamlined process.

New members of the 2025 class are:

Bloomington

• Angela Andrews, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Accounting in the Kelley School of Business.

• Cassandra Coble, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology in the School of Public Health-Bloomington.

• Michael Collins, senior lecturer in the Department of Operations & Decision Technologies in the Kelley School of Business.

• Donetta Cothran, professor in the Department of Kinesiology in the School of Public Health-Bloomington.

• Will Geoghegan, clinical professor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship in the Kelley School of Business.

• Justin Hodgson, associate professor in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences and recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Technology.

• Sylvia Martinez, professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the School of Education.

• Theresa Ochoa, professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education and recipient of the Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award.

• Faridah Pawan, professor in the Department of Learning, Design and Adult Education in the School of Education and recipient of the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.

• Dale Sengelaub, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences and recipient of the Frederic Bachman Lieber Memorial Award.

Indianapolis

• Holly Cusack-McVeigh, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology in the School of Liberal Arts and recipient of the Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award.

• Keely Floyd, lecturer in the Department of Health Policy and Management in the Fairbanks School of Public Health.

• Margaret McNulty, associate professor in the Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology in the School of Medicine.

• Gina Borgioli Yoder, clinical professor in the Department of Urban Teacher Education in the School of Education.

Fort Wayne

• Sheena Choi, associate professor in the Department of Management and Marketing in the Doermer School of Business.

• Naomi Gurevich, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders in the College of Science.

• Aaron McCord, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing.

Kokomo

• Alina Mihai, associate professor in the School of Education.

• Christina Romero, associate professor in the School of Education.

Southeast

• Patrick Lach, assistant professor in the School of Business.

• Aycan Kara, associate professor in the School of Business.
• Ashley Thomas, assistant professor in the School of Business.

For more information, visit the FACET website or email facet@iu.edu.