The University of Maryland College of Education has named Laura Mahalingappa, associate professor of linguistics and language education program, as its new ADVANCE Professor. She will begin this role in Fall 2026.
As the ADVANCE Professor, Mahalingappa will support faculty professional growth and success by working with the ADVANCE Program and college leadership to identify opportunities to strengthen the academic environment, expand access to mentoring and professional development and foster a culture where all faculty can thrive.
“Our faculty are among our greatest strengths, and investing in their success is essential to fulfilling our mission of transforming education for good,” said Dean Kimberly Griffin. “Dr. Mahalingappa’s passion for supporting others makes her well suited for this position, and I know she will help cultivate faculty success across our college.”
Mahalingappa brings experience in mentoring and faculty development, as well as her commitment to fostering inclusive educational environments, to her role as ADVANCE Professor. With more than 16 years in higher education, she has mentored graduate students and early-career faculty through both institutional leadership roles and national professional organizations, including the American Association for Applied Linguistics and the American Educational Research Association. Since joining the University of Maryland in 2022, she has served as a mentor to junior faculty and supported colleagues throughout the tenure process.
Her scholarship examines how institutional practices, language and identity influence belonging, participation and opportunity, and closely aligns with ADVANCE's mission to support faculty recruitment, retention, advancement and inclusive academic climates. She plans to focus on building sustainable mentoring networks, expanding community-based professional development opportunities and partnering with college leadership to advance practices that help faculty at every career stage succeed.
“Serving as ADVANCE Professor is an opportunity to contribute to a program that has already had a meaningful impact on my own professional journey. Through participating in ADVANCE programming and faculty writing groups, I've experienced firsthand the value of intentional mentorship and a supportive academic community,” said Mahalingappa. “I'm excited to help foster an environment where faculty at every career stage feel empowered to grow, connect and succeed."
For more than 16 years, the University of Maryland's ADVANCE Program has fostered a more inclusive and supportive academic community by advancing the recruitment, retention, professional growth and success of faculty. Housed in the Office of Faculty Affairs, the program partners with colleges and schools across the university to strengthen the academic work environment through peer networks, professional development, advocacy and research. Each college appoints an ADVANCE Professor to collaborate with college leadership and colleagues to identify barriers to faculty success, develop strategies that support career advancement, and build a thriving culture for faculty. Through initiatives around mentoring, professional development, community building and policy improvement, ADVANCE Professors help create stronger pathways for faculty success across the university.
