Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, a senior lecturer in the Indiana University School of Health-Bloomington (IUSPH-B), is the school's first faculty member to be promoted to the rank of teaching professor. According to the university, this designation was created to "recognize and encourage" lecturer contributions in a way that parallels other faculty advancement procedures.

"I'm honored and humbled to be the first SPH-B faculty member to hold this title," Kennedy-Armbruster says, adding, "No one climbs a mountain alone. I certainly would not have been able to do the many things I’ve accomplished without mentors who lifted me up. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work at an institution that values the importance of evidence-based teaching and learning."

"Dr. Carol Kennedy-Armbruster is the epitome of a teaching professor," says Dr. David Koceja, chair of the IUSPH-B Department of Kinesiology. She has dedicated her entire career to empowering students to fulfill their potential, selflessly guiding them along the way. She was instrumental in developing practical and applied courses that have been of benefit to both kinesiology majors and the undergraduate student body at large. She practices what she preaches—a healthy lifestyle—and reinforces these ideals in the classroom. She has positively impacted countless students, faculty, and staff."

The IU Board of Trustees approved the teaching professor rank in 2019 at the direction of then-President Michael McRobbie to create advancement opportunities for non–tenure-track faculty. The rank "is situated at the top of the lecturer rank, beyond lecturer and senior lecturer," creating a three-tiered structure similar to that of tenure-track and clinical professional ranks.

"Carol Kennedy-Armbruster is the teacher's teacher," says Dean David Allison. "Great teachers serve as social and intellectual focal points. They lead by example. Dr. Kennedy-Armbruster realizes the slogan, 'Before you can be it, you have to see it.' By embracing both a love of learning and engagement in healthy lifestyles, she is a masterful teacher to her students. I am proud to know her and grateful to have her in our school."

To see the full list of faculty named to the first cohort of teaching professors, visit go.iu.edu/4f4w. News about IUSPH-B is always available at go.iu.edu/48bx.