Named for the first dean of women at UT, the Angie Warren Perkins Award honors outstanding leadership in campus governance or administration at the level of department head, director, or below.
Alison Buchan
Alison Buchan, Caroline W. Fite Professor of Microbiology, works to ensure that students are prepared for success. As the associate head and director of undergraduate studies for the microbiology department, she spearheaded the evaluation and revision of undergraduate degree requirements, then made sure students and faculty were prepared for the changes. Buchan helped create a welcome picnic for incoming biology majors and a brochure to orient them to the university. Now she’s working to start a graduation celebration for students and families. Buchan helps coordinate outreach efforts in introductory biology classes, high school student visits to campus, and career exploration days, and serves as an advocate for the department’s faculty and staff. As the number of women faculty in the biological sciences has increased, Buchan has made a concerted effort to welcome female faculty members—many in their first academic appointments—and help smooth their transition.