Amy Rupiper Taggart, associate professor of English, has been named NDSU’s first director of general education. Her new duties begin Jan. 13, 2014.
In the newly created, one-third time position, she is responsible for coordinating, overseeing and nurturing general education at NDSU. In addition to roles on the General Education and University Assessment Committees, she will serve in an auxiliary role on the Accreditation Report Writing Team and become one of the liaisons for the Gateways to Completion program with the Gardner Institute.
According to Larry Peterson, director of accreditation, assessment and academic advising, the search committee was enthusiastic in its support of Rupiper Taggart. Peterson said she displayed the qualities that are keys to succeeding in this role. “She is thoughtful, conscientious, a collegial team builder, a clear and detailed thinker, and perhaps most importantly, a good listener,” Peterson said. “She will be a terrific asset for the entire campus.”
Rupiper Taggart joined the NDSU English department in 2002 after completing her doctorate in English at Texas Christian University. Rupiper Taggart specializes in writing and rhetoric, with a focus on pedagogy and curricular programs. She directed NDSU’s First Year Writing Program from 2008-12. As president of the University Senate in 2010-11, she was instrumental in the creation of the Faculty Senate.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.